Medicinal and aromatic plants of South-East Asia with potential for treatment of respiratory infections: a review of literature

Barbora Vera Karasová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Respiratory infections are posing a threat for people of all ages in countries from all over the world. They are especially dangerous for children under 5 years old and the elderly, as well as for people with weak immune system and people from low-income countries. Antibiotics are chosen as a conventional treatment for those infections, but their application is problematic for children and older people. They are also difficult to get for people living in rural areas due to their costliness, and a long distance to medical clinics. Another aspect that should be taken into consideration is antimicrobial resistance, due to which antibiotics become less and less efficient. South-East Asia has one of the highest mortality rates due to respiratory infections. Laos is one of the poorest countries belonging to South-East Asia, where 40% of the population lives there in rural areas and relies on traditional medicine. The country is covered by large forest that is hiding many unexplored plant species. The aim of this thesis was to analyse literature data and to collect new findings of medicinal and aromatic plants widespread in Laos including antibacterial activity of essential oils obtained from these plant species against respiratory pathogens. Total of 48 plant species belonging to the following families Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, Rutaceae, and Zingiberaceae were found to be the most promising for future research. Out of those plant species, only 6 of them were studied for the antibacterial activity of their essential oils, therefore they are still considered as less known and unexplored. The tested plant species are Actinodaphne pilosa (Lauraceae), Amomum dealbatum (Zingiberaceae), Amomum glabrum (Zingiberaceae), Clausena harmandiana (Rutaceae), Kaempferia champasakensis (Zingiberaceae), and Sphaeranthus indicus (Asteraceae). Future research with special attention on antimicrobial activity of plant species presented in this thesis is needed to approve the potential of their essential oils in the treatment of respiratory infections.

Keywords

antibacterial, antimicrobial, aromatic plants, inhalation, medicinal plants, Laos, respiratory infections, South-East Asia

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 31. 5. 2024
• Supervisor: Ing. Markéta Houdková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Tomáš Kudera, Ing.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme:
Tropical Agriculture