Characteristics of Plants of The Genus Eryngium and Prospects of Their Use in Medicine

Abstract

The study was dedicated to carrying out a complete analysis of modern literature on botanical characteristics, chemical composition, distribution and use in medicine of plants of genus Eryngium. The methods of patent information search and data analysis of modern literature were used in the work. Conducted a morphological study of species of the genus Eryngium. According to the database "The Plant list", the genus Eryngium includes 257 recognized species, which are distributed in Eurasia, North and South America, Africa and Australia. Eryngium are usually wild plants, but they are successfully cultivated in many countries. The genus Eryngium includes one-, two-, and perennial grasses, the height of which is from 40 cm to 1.5 m, depending on the species. Stem in Eryngium straight, branched at the top; flowers small, mostly blue; fruits are covered with scales. On the territory of Ukraine, Eryngium planum L., Erynguim campestre L., Eryngium maritimum L. are widespread. Some species of Eryngium are eaten and used as an ornamental plant in floristics. Plants of the genus Eryngium contain a variety of biologically active substances that have a pharmacological effect on the human body, so in folk medicine, Eryngium has long been used as an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant. Species of the genus Eryngium are one-, two-, and perennial herbs of the Apiaceae family, which are widespread throughout the globe. Eryngium has long been used in folk medicine, but is not an official raw material, although the chemical composition of Eryngium is able to have a positive pharmacological effect on the human body. Seed and raw material productivity of the Eryngium is sufficient for industrial cultivation. Eryngium are promising medicinal plants, and need further study to be able to create new drugs.