Volume 98, February 2014, Pages 9–26
Highlights
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- Since the 1970s, phytochemical investigation of Sagebrush (subgenus Tridentatae) has declined.
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- 220 compounds have been reported for Sagebrush, mostly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
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- Little pharmacological information is available to support traditional use of Sagebrush.
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- The subgenus Tridentatae should be re-visited using modern approaches to phytochemical analysis.
Abstract
The genus Artemisia consists of between 350 and 500 species with most of the North American endemic Artemisia species contained within the subgenus Tridentatae
(Sagebrush). The reported uses of these species by Native American and
First Nations peoples include analgesic, antiinflammatory, antiseptic,
immunostimulation activity, as well as the treatment of afflictions from
spiritual origins. Taxonomic revision for North American Sagebrush has
created a number of synonyms that confuse the literature. The
phytochemical diversity of the Tridentatae includes at least
220 distinct and important specialized metabolites. This manuscript
reviews the current phytochemical, botanical and pharmacological
understanding for the subgenus Tridentatae, and provides a foundation for future studies of the metabolomes of the Tridentatae.
Modern approaches to phytochemical analysis and drug discovery are
likely to provide interesting lead compounds in the near future.
Graphical abstract
North American endemic Artemisia species in the Tridentatae are the source of 220 phytochemicals representing all of the major classes of specialized metabolites.
Keywords
- Artemisia tridentata;
- Tridentatae;
- Asteraceae;
- Sagebrush;
- Spiritual botany
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