10th Symposium on the Flora of Southeastern Serbia and ...

10 th <strong>Symposium</strong> on the Flora of Southeastern Serbia and Neighbouring regions,Vlasina 17 to 20 June 2010Mediterranean phytochemical plant diversity. The case ofcalabrian floraStatti, G., Uzunov, D., Conforti, F., Marrelli, M., Menichini, F., Tundis, R.,Bonesi, M., Menichini, F.Laboratory of phytochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,University of Calabria, Italyg.statti@unical.itThe Mediterranean is one of a major world centre of plant diversity,housing some 25-30 000 species, up to 50% of which are endemic to the region.Mediterranean basin is also one of a key centre of crop origins and diversity and thearea is also one of the world wide well known source of medical and aromaticplants. The repertory of plant and uses can be find within the written medievaltraditions. The folk medicine in the area has been preserved through the oraltransmission of information and adapted on the base of direct experience of thedifferent pathologies and remedies. The use of plants as food and medicines inMediterranean Calabria is relevant in the local traditional health care system, sinceabout 25% of the local flora are used. Many studies on the phytochemicalcompounds and biological activities of this rich heritage, in last decades were carriedout by Phytochemical Laboratory (University of Calabria). The recent studies arefocused mainly on antioxidant molecules and phytocomplex because the etiology ofmany diseases is based on the uncontrolled production of free radicals. Theparticipation of free radicals as mediators of tissue damage has been, in fact,recognized in many pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, cancer,neurodegenerative diseases, etc.The chemical composition of biologically active compounds and theirquantitative characteristics depends from genotypic and phenotypic factors. In thissense it is necessary to organise a study at large scale for testing as more as possiblespecies and populations for their chemistry, pharmaceutical and nutraceutic value.This requires a cooperation and collaboration of different research centres on the onehand and the optimisation of procedures for phytochemical and biological analysison the other.104