.  doi: 10.3390/biology10070618

. Published online 2021 Jul 2

José Blanco-Salas,^1,* María P. Hortigón-Vinagre,^2,* Diana Morales-Jadán,³ and Trinidad Ruiz-Téllez¹

Abstract

Simple Summary

Mullein (Verbascum spp.) has been widely used in Spanish folk medicine to treat several pathologies, and these applications suggest the potential anti-inflammatory action of these plants. Based on the aforementioned, a deep bibliographic review of the chemical composition of the 10 species of Verbascum, catalogued by the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity, and virtual simulations using computer programs were used to demonstrate the molecular evidence supporting the use of these intuitive and traditional popular medicines.

Abstract

Verbascum species (common mullein) have been widely used in Spanish folk medicine to treat pathologies related to the musculature, skeleton, and circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems, as well as to treat infectious diseases and organ-sense illnesses. These applications support the potential anti-inflammatory action of Verbascum phytochemicals. Based on the aforementioned facts, and following a deep bibliographic review of the chemical composition of the 10 species of Verbascum catalogued by the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity, we look for scientific evidences to correlate the traditional medical uses with the chemical components of these plants. To support these findings, in silico simulations were performed to investigate molecular interactions between Verbascum phytochemicals and cellular components. Most of common mullein traditional uses could rely on the anti-inflammatory action of phytochemicals, such as quercetin, and it could explain the employment of these plants to treat a wide range of diseases mediated by inflammatory processes such as respiratory diseases, otitis, arthrosis, and rheumatism among others.

Keywords: Verbascum, traditional knowledge, validation, flavonoid, terpene, inflammatory

1. Introduction

The genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae, Lamiales) comprises more than 300 Eurasiatic species. It is the largest genus of the family, and its origin is the center of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin. In the Iberian Peninsula, it is represented by 26 species [1]. In Spain, they are popularly named “gordolobos” (in English, common mullein), and the Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity [2] has catalogued 10 species which have been used to treat a wide range of pathologies. These are Verbascum pulverulentum Vill., V. sinuatum L., V. thapsus L., V. boerhavii L., V. creticum (L.) Cav., V. dentifolium Delile, V. giganteum Willk., V. lychnitis L., V. rotundifolium Ten., and V. virgatum Stokes in With.

In order to realize the potential pharmacological application of these species, we must perform a deep analysis of their chemical compositions as a starting point to understand which phytochemicals could exert the medical actions described in the traditional knowledge. The chemical components of Verbascum spp., and the biological actions attributed to these phytochemicals, can be found in the literature [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17], with the correlation between the phytochemicals’ bioactivity and their traditional uses being a key point to validate their traditional ethnobotanical uses.

The aforementioned bibliographic prospection could be complemented by in silico approaches to demonstrate the phytochemicals’ affinities using molecular targets. The combination of bibliographic research and computer programming could provide a strong tool to approach the botanical bioactive compounds existing in Verbascum spp. with the medical uses collected by folk knowledge.

The objective of this work is to analyze the affinities of phytochemicals from Verbascum spp. for mammalian molecular targets to perform a comprehensive scientific validation of its medical uses. This work could support further experimental studies on Verbascum spp. extracts and their phytochemicals as therapeutic agents, making the experimental approach easier and eventually contributing to reducing the number of animals employed in pre-clinical testing [18,19].

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8301161/