LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)

LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
 also called mint family
 about 200 genera & 3300 species
 aromatic, annual or perennial herb or under -shrubs. Petals
are fused into upper and lower lip, hence named so. The
family is well represented in the Mediterranean area, the
Great Britain, central Asia and Asia etc. i.e., cosmopolitan
 Herbaceous members of the family have square stems;
particularly the young stems often being four angled.
 Leaves: opposite, simple or rarely pinnate leaves or whorled
(decussate)
 (Each pair of leaf at one node is at the right angles to the
previous one or next node’s pair, this is called decussate).
 Glandular hairs:
 Leaves and other aerial parts have glandular hairs or very
characteristic short stalked epidermal glands which secrete
the volatile oil.
 LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
 Flower:
 Flowers are zygomorphic, bisexual and are arranged in
verticillasters.
 Imp. genera :
 Mentha (18 sp, and 13 hybrid sp);
 Thymus ( 300-400 sp);
 Ocimum (150 sp);
 Lavandula (28 sp) ;
 Salvia ( 700 sp);
 Scutellaria ( 300 sp);
 Laminum (30-40 sp);
 Rosmarinus (3 spp).
 Fruit : Usually non- fleshy.
 
 
LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
 Chemical constituents :
 V.O :
 Many members of the family contain volatile oil, i.e; a
volatile oil rich family
 Essential oil in the epidermal glands is v common
Followings are imp. Medicinal plants containing volatile
oil belonging to the different groups: Peppermint
( Menthol),Spearmint ( carvone), Thyme ( thymol), Salvia
(thujone), Lavandula,( lavander oil) Ocimum ( euginol).
 Glycosides :
 Monoterpenoid ( iridoid ) glycosides, like catalpol have
been isolated from certain species of Scutellaria;
similarly, sterol glycosides have been isolated from
Prunella vulgaris.
LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
. Diterpenoid, triterpenoid compounds
 These organic compounds are found in labiatae

family in different species.

 Triterpenoids named amblyol was isolated,

besides amlyone from aerial parts of Salvia aspera.

 Similarly, tripenoid saponins from Stachys

parviflora have been isolated & characterized.

 Moreover, other triterpenoids like ursolic acid,

oleanolic acid
 Diterpenoids, like rabdoloxin B and rabdokunmin

D, were isolated and characterized from the aerial

parts of Isodon loxothyrsus. Monogynol
(triterpenoids) are present in Salvia macrochlamys.
LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
 Rosmarinic acid:
 Many species also accumulate rosmarinic acid and other

derivates of caffeic acid (eg., Rosmary)

 Rosmarinic acid is of some pharmaceutical importance because
of its inhibition of biosynthesis of leukotrienes ( leading to anti-
inflammatory effect), as well as its anti-viral activity
 Tannins:
 The ethanolic extract of Mentha arvensis leaves revealed the

presence of catechic tannins, flavones, steroids flavones and

steroid etc. similarly, thyme salvia tannins, flavones, and
steroids, etc.
 Similarly, salvia, thyme etc also contain tannins. Their

antibacterial activity is more significant against staph aureus, as

compared to E. coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Resin: Some members like peppermint contain resin.
LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
Therapeutic uses of labiatae:
 Carminative and spasmolytic agents.
 Due to presence of volatile oil,many members of this

family are used as carminative, digestant, and

spasmolytic agents in GIT problems e.g. Thymus
vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalus, Salvia officinalus,
Mentha piperata etc.
 B. Antiseptic:
 Some members contain volatile oils possessing

antiseptic properties. e.g. thymol, salvinorin A etc. are

used as antiseptic agents in certain conditions like
respiratory problems, mouth-ulcers, bad-breath and
so on; some are used as topical antiseptic(gargling)
e.g. menthol, thymol (Rx. Listerine mouth wash).
LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
 Analgesic:
 Rosemary oil from Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) is used in liniment
as a rubefacient.
 Menthol is also used as a counter-irritant.(R x Vicks-vaporub, Mint-Rub,
Ben-Gay.
 Also used in neuralgia, rheumatism, toothpaste.
 Anti-Pruritic:
 Certain volatile oils like menthol is used as a anti-pruritic in burn ad
sun- burn preparations, prickly-heat powder etc. e.g. Johnson and
Johnson medicated powder.
 These are also used to treat poison ivy rash.
 Anti-Oxidant:
 The extract of Salvia macrochlamys showed anti- oxidant activity due
to presence of triterpenoids (monogynol).
 Agents acting on central nervous system:
 Salvia officinalis possess cholinergic activity and is used is Alzheimer’s
disease and memory loss, and other psychic disorders.
 Similarly ocimum and thyme possess anxiolytic and sedative
properties.
MEMBERS
Peppermint
Peppermint
 Synonyms: Mint, Pudina (urdu)
 Botanical source:

 fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops or aerial parts

of Mentha piperita (Fam: labiatae).

 Peppermint (Mentha piperita, also known as

M.Balsamea) is a hybrid mint, a cross between the

watermint (Mentha aquatic) and spearmint (Mentha
spicata). Fam: Labiatae.
 Habitat:
 The plant is indigenous to Europe
 but now is wide-spread in cultivation throughout all

regions of the world

 So,cultivated in India, Pakistan, Canada, North America.
Peppermint

 Characteristics:
 a perennial herb grow upto 30-120 cm
 The stem is erect, square and smooth.
 Leaves:
 dark green with reddish veins 3-8 cm long and 1.5-4 cm
brood;
 acute apex & serrate margin. Leaves and stems are usually
hairy.
 Flowers:
 purple & are arranged in spike.
 Corolla is 4-lobed
 strong odour
 pungent cooling taste.
Peppermint

 Chemical constituents
 Peppermint contains volatile oil (about 1.2%);

resin, tannins etc.

 Volatile oil(i.e; peppermint oil)
 contains menthol (about 70%).

 also contains menthone

 menthyl acetate, and other terpene derivatives

(monoterpenes, diterpenes) like cineole, pinene,

limonene, camphene, menthofurone, piperiton
 small quantites of sesquiterpenes,

 the pigment flavonoid compound, rutin etc.

Menthone Menthyl acetate
Peppermint

 Pharmacology:
 The drug contains volatile oil,
 which increases the gastric motility and secretion
of gastric, salivary and other GIT enzymes.
 smooth muscle relaxant activity and relaxes the
muscles that allow painful gas to lower
oesophageal-cardial-spincter.
 The drug possess antiseptic activity, i.e; Mentha
arvensis (the Japanese peppermint) leaves
revealed the antibacterial activity against Stph
aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Peppermint

 Theapeutic uses:
 as carminative, stimulant and antispasmodic in different
digestive problems like dyspepsia, bloating, heart burn,
nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, bad-breath,
stomachache, hiccup.
 Therefore, used in different digestive preparations, e.g

Antacids, Rx. Digex MP, Polycrol suspension; Gelusil tablet,

Philips’ Milk of Magnesia etc. as a carminative and
flavouring agent.
 a flavouring agent in tea, ice cream, chewing gums, tooth

paste and confectionery; as well as in soaps ad shampoo.

 As a medicine, it has been larger replaced by peppermint

oil
 Peppermint oil is used as counter-irritant in painful

conditions, where it acts as analgesic, e.g; rheumatism,

sciatica, lumbago, neuralgia, headache, migraine.
Peppermint

 Menthol is applied to forehead and temples help

reduce headache in colds & flu (RxVicks vap-rub).
 Menthol is an effective decongestant and good
expectorant, it thins mucus, loosens and breaks up
cough with sputum. It is soothing and calming for
sore- throat (pharnygitis etc)
 Rx. Pulmonol,
 Hydryllin cough syrup.
 Menthol is used as anti-pruritic in burn and sun burn
preparation as Noxzema medicated cream;
preparations to treat poison ivy rash;
 in diaper rash and prickly heat preparations, as
Johnson and Johnson medicated powder.
Thyme
Thyme

 Synonyms: Ban ajvoin ( Urdu)

 Biological source:
 dried leaves & flowering top of Thymus vulgaris
Fam: Labiatae.
 Habitat:
 indigenous to southern Europe (Spain,Italy)
 now is extensively cultivated in Germany,
France & England for centuries
also in the USA, Middle east, Pakistan & India.
 Characteristics:
 a low growing perennial herb upto 15-40cm
Thyme
 Leaves
 oval, entire and opposite. 1/8 inch long, 1/16 inch broad.,
greenish grey in colour.
 Flowers: white/pale pink to purple.

Chemical constituents
 Thyme contains a yellowish red volatile oil
(1-2.6%); resin, tannin and gums.
 Thyme oil:
 Thyme oil is produced by distillation from the flowering
plant of Thyme vulgaris or Thymus zygis and its variety
Gracilis Boissier (Fam: Labitae).Thyme oil yields not less
than 40%, by volume ,of phenols. It is a colourless,
yellow or red liquid with a characteristic, pleasant
odour and a pungent persistant taste.
Thyme

 Constituents of thyme oil:

 French and German oils show a phenol content amounting to
25-42% and consisting largely of thymol, together with small
quantities of carvacrol.
 also contains cymene, borneol, linalool,pinene etc.
 The phenol content of the Spanish oil, which ranges from 50-
70 percent, is almost entirely carvacrol. Spain accounts for some
90% of the world production of thyme oil.
 Thyme oil B.P
 Thyme oil B.P is obtained by steam distillation from the fresh
aerial parts and contains thymol 36-55%,
 carvacrol 1-4%; p-cymene 15-28%, terpinene 5-10% together
with linalool,myrcene etc.
  
Thyme

 Pharmacology:
 The drug has carminative, stimulant, anti-spasmodic activity,
saspmolytic effect may be due to Flavonoids of leaves.
 It has anti-tussive, expectorant activity.
 Also possesses antiseptic activity.
Therapeutic uses:
 Thyme is a flavour and possesses stimulant and carminative
properties. The dose was formerly listed as 4 gm.
 Oil of thyme is a rubefacient and counter-irritant in
rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia, lumbago etc.
 Thymol may be obtained from thyme oil and is used to
medicate gauze and wool for surgical dressings.
Thyme

 Thymol is less irritant to wounds and may be applied

as antiseptic
 Thymol is disinfectant against bacteria and fungi,

therefore it is used in:

 dental caries and gingivitis;
 fungus of toe nails, tinea paedis, (Ringworm ;athlete’s

foot).
 Externally, thymol is applied in tonsillitis,bronchitis,

sore-throat, and gum-disease.

 an active ingredient in R Listerine mouth wash (Pfizer)
x
where it is recommended for inflammation and other
problems of throat as gargles 3 times a day;
inflammation disappears within 2-3 days.
 R Thymol-glycerin compound Mouth Wash.
x.
 Thymol also acts as expectorants help alleviate sore
throat and cough.
Thyme

 Thymol is also an anthelmintic; it is especially

serviceable for hookwork (usual dose, 2gm,
divided in 3 doses).
 Thymol eases migraine, headache when
rubbed onto temples.
 Thymol is a sedative, causes drowsiness and
is effective in depression and anxiety.
 Moreover, thymol is preservative and
flavouring agent in meats, poultry, sauces etc.
 Thymol is also used in aromatherapy.
SALVIA
 Synonyms: Magic mint: sage; diviner’s sage
 Biological source:
 dried leaves of Salvia officinalis.
 Fam: Labiatae.
 yields not less than 1.25ml of volatile oil from each 100 gm of the
drug
 Salvia is from the Latin salvare, meaning to save, and refers to its
use in preserving meats.
 Geographical source:
 indigenous to Mediterranean region ( Southern Europe, Germany)
and the united states;
 but now is cultivated in parts of Asia, as well as worldwide.
 Characteristics:
 The plant is a small perennial herb attaining the height of about
50-60cm or 2 feet
 an ornamental garden plant with woody stems.
SALVIA

 Flower: Flowers are blue to purplish. Calyx is

normally tubular or bell shaped; divided into parts
or lips.
 Trichomes growing on leaves, stems or flowers
help to reduce water loss in some species.
Sometimes hairs are elongated and secrete volatile
oils that give distinct aroma to the plant.
 Odour and Taste : characteristically pungent.
SALVIA
 Chemical constituents.
 volatile oil (0.5 to 2.5 percent), a bitter principle
somewhat resembling marrubiin, resin, and tannin
or a principle closely resembling it in its
astringency and behavior with ferric salts.
 The volatile oil of sage contains about 50% of α-β-
thujone together with cineole, borneol and other
constituents; camphor (34%), and salvene etc.
 Sage leaves also contain tannic acid, oleic acid,
ursolic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,
nicotinamides etc; besides phenolic glycosides
based on caffeic and hydroxybenzoic acid.
SALVIA

 Pharmacology:
 carminative and antispasmodic properties.
 The drug possesses most potent naturally
occurring psychoactive compound, that has
cholinergic activity, and memory-improving
properties; and is stimulating to the central
nervous system.
 Possesses antiseptic properties.
SALVIA
 Therapeutic uses:
 The drug (salvia) is used as a stimulant, carminative and
condiment.
 It is extensively used as a seasoning agent ( condiments),

especially with meats and sausage.

 The drug is used as a cholagogue in digestive disorders.
 Sage as an infusion is used as mouthwash and gargle for

its antiseptic and astringent action, therefore the drug is

effective in skin, mouth, throat and gum infections
 The drug has its possible role in the treatment of

Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. It is interesting to

note that long before recent advances in the
understanding of the neuro-biology of Alzheimer’s
disease, plant materials including sage and balm (Melissa
officinalis) were recommended in old reference books as
possessing memory-improving properties
 It is also useful in anxiety, depression
SALVIA
 As a flavouring agent, it is used in ice-cream, sweets
and baked goods.
 Effective as analgesic.
 The drug is used in perspiration, e.g. profuse
perspiration in tuberculosis.
 The drug is effective against excessive salivation in
Parkinson’s disease.
 The drug due to presence of phenolic glycosides
possesses anti-oxidant properties; and keep skin
healthy and clear; helps in dryness and scaliness;
adding firmness and smoothness to the skin’s
texture and also known for its anti-aging benefits.
OCIMUM
OCIMUM

 Synonyms: Basil; holy basil; sweet basil; Tulsi,Niazboo (urdu)

 Biologicalsource:
 fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum; Ocimum
basilicum (Fam: Labiatae).
 Geographical source:
 native to Iran, Indo-Pakistan and other tropical regions of
Asia, but now-a –days commercially cultivated in Europe,
Egypt, Indonesia, Malaya, Australia and Morcco etc.
 Characteristics:
 a low growing tender, strongly scented annual herb or under
shrub; 30-60 in height.
 The branches are generally purplish and clothed with soft
hair;with green stem usually woody at base.
OCIMUM

 Leaves: Leaves are simple, oblong, opposite with

acute apex, margin is entire or serrate, and both
the surfaces are pubescent.
 There is distribution of glandular hairs on the

surfaces of leaves containing volatile oil.

 Leaves are 2.5-5cm long and 1.6-3.2cm broad.
 Flower: purplish or white in colour. 15-17cm long

in racemes or close whorls.

 Seeds are subglobose & reddish black in colour.
 Odour: aromatic & pleasant.
 Taste: Sharp, spicy aromatic & pungent.
OCIMUM
 Chemical constituents:
 The important chemical constituents of tulsi is
volatile oil which is yellow coloured; leaves contain
maximum volatile oil contents (0.4-0.8%). The
volatile oil contains eugenol (70%), methyl eugenol
(20%), carvacrol (3%), caryophyllene (1.7%), cineole,
linalool, camphor,
camphene,ocimene,limonene,citral, anethol
 Also small quantities of Rosmarinic acid and
lithospermic acid.
 The strong clove scent of basil is derived from
eugenol, while citrus scent of lemon is due to citral.

OCIMUM

 Pharmacology:
 It increases the secretion of gastric enzymes.
 It relaxes the smooth muscles.
 It affects central nervous system.
 Fungistatic effects of cineole, eugenol,methyl
chavicol, against Rizopus nigricans and Fusarium
oxysporum were observed.
 Cinnamic, coffeic and sinapic acid showed anti-
tumor activity.
 Rosmarinica acid can capture free radicals, and is
an anti-oxidant
OCIMUM

 Therpeutic uses:
 The leaves are used as flavouring agent
 aromatic, carminative and antispasmodic.
 possesses antibacterial & antiseptic prop
 The Drug is expectorant& is used in cough,
bronchitis.
 The Juice of tulsi leaves is applied on skin in
ring worm and other cutaneous diseases.
 It is also used in gonorrhea.
 It is used in anxiety.
 It is also used in hepatic affections
OCIMUM
 Tulsi possess analgesic properties, and it relieves
the swelling also.
 Instillation of fresh juice of the leaves into ears is an

effective domestic medication for ear aches.

 It has a mild laxative, as well as vermicidal action.
 It is a good blood purifier and is helpful in the

disease of the blood and the heart.

 A tea prepared with the leaves of tulsi is a common

domestic remedy for cold, cough, milk indigestion,

diminished appetite and malaise.
  
 “The smell rejoice the heart of man”
 “Greeks used to scent their bath water.
SPEARMINT
SPEARMINT
 Synonyms: Ordinary/ Common garden mint;
Common spearmint, Silver mint
 Biological source:
 The drug consists of the dried leaf and flowering top

of Mentha spicata ( M.virdis) and Mentha cardiaca.

 The name “spearmint” derives from pointed leaf tips.
 Family: Labiatae
 Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Mediterranean

region, much of Europe and south west Asia. Though

its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive
early cultivation.
SPEARMINT
 Characteristics of the plant:
 It is a perennial herb growing upto 30-100cm
 Leaves: These are opposite, more or less crumpled,

acute and almost sessile margin, bright green in

colour. 3-7 cm long and 1.5-3cm wide.
 Flowers:
 Flowers are small, pinkish or lilac in colour.These

are densely arranged in whorls or rings in the axis

of upper leaves, forming spikes.
 Odour and taste: Both are characteristic.
SPEARMINT
 Chemical constituents
 It contains volatile oils (0.5%); major volatile

oils are carvone 55%, borneol, eugenol,

limonene 2-25%, menthone and phellendrine
etc.Morover, it contains dihydrocarveol
acetate, esters of acetic, capric and butyric
acid etc.
SPEARMINT
 Pharmacology:
 The drug increases gastric enzyme secretion
 It has also antiseptic property
Uses:
 Carminative
 Antispasmodic
 Anti-emetic
 As a flavour in drinks, chewing gums and tooth paste.
(eg. Mentos chewy drages, Wrigley’s spearmint
(chewing gum)
 Also used as flavour for confectionery, for milk shake
in Newzealand and other countries.
.
SPEARMINT
 Spearmint oil is effective in headache, chills,
fever, bronchitis etc.
 Oil is useful in rheumatism,stiffness and

muscles soreness etc.

 Spearmint is an antiseptic.
 It also possesses diuretic properties
Difference between
peppermint and
spearmint
Difference between peppermint and spearmint

 The peppermint plant tends to grow taller than spearmint,

upto four feet tall (1.5 m).
 A peppermint leaf is also a little larger. While blooming
peppermint has a purplish blossom while spearmint has a
pink or light to dark blue blossom not approaching purple.
 Leaves: Peppermint leaves have more teeth than S.mint i.e
S.mint leaves are sessile.
 Stems: Spearmint stems, while lacking the purple, are
distinctly square while peppermint stems are not.
 Scent: The scent of spearmint tends to be little sweeter
and lighter, while peppermint has a very noticeable mint
smell; it can be uncomfortable being near a peppermint
field. Spearmint taste is not followed by cooling sensation.
Difference between peppermint and
spearmint
 Medicinally, these two mints are vey similar; clearly,
these two mints are more similar than dissimilar.
 The essential oils of peppermint and spearmint are
distinguished by the position of oxygenation on the
p-menthone monoterpenes. Peppermint produce
moterpenes having an oxygen at C3 , whereas
spearmint and oxygen at C6.
 Properties of both mints resemble, both are
stimulant and caraminative, but spearmint effects
are less powerful than peppermint and it (S.mint) is
less used than peppermint