Phytochemical study on Teucrium species

The genus Teucrium, belonging to Lamiaceae family, includes 300 species widespread all around the world. Teucrium species are a rich source of secondary metabolites, such as neoclerodane diterpenoids which can be used as chemotaxonomic markers of the genus (Ulubelen et al., 2000; Piozzi et al., 2005). These plants are used in the folk medicine in many countries of the Mediterranean area. Phytochemical investigations of the species belonging to this genus revealed also the presence of triterpenes, steroids, iridoids, saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols and essential oils (Bedir et al., 1999; Tumbas et al., 2004). Teucrium species are used as alimentary plants and some of them are employed in the production of flavored wines, beers, herbal teas and bitter liqueurs. An interesting biological property of neoclerodane is the antifeedant activity against some pest insects and previously investigation on T. fruticans reported the occurrence of quite potent metabolites (Bruno et al., 1999). In this communication a review of the phytochemicals, and their most relevant biological activities, occurring in T. fruticans and T. scordium subsp. scordioides species will be provided as well as new researches on their essential oil. A comparative study on the profiles of metabolic contents of these species collected in different places will be discussed.