Status Natural Compounds of Medicinal Plants, Herbs, and Spices: Phytoncides and Hormones and Natural Pigments

Introduction

The issue of NOCs has been the focus of nutritionists' attention - with their presence, along with nutrients, in MPHSs and animal foods. Also, of pharmacists - interested in obtaining extracts from MPHSs and animal tissues - as well as utilitarian aspects for pharmacology, pharmacognosy and pharmacotherapy. Last but not least, the problem of these substances has also been of interest to molecular toxicology with specific pathobiochemical aspects. It is reiterated that the discussion of the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity must take into account the rigorous definition of the notion of biologically active. In reality, the variants are physiologically-active for nutrients, pharmacologically-active for drugs and toxicologically-active for toxic substances. For these reasons, we agree to integrate all categories of compounds mentioned under the generic name of “biochemical effectors”. Modern biochemistry, dealing with the complex issue of biochemical effectors, can no longer ignore the role of NOCs. Literally, the word translates as “killer plants” (from the Greek “fiton” - the plant and the Latin “cido” - to kill). There is a misconception that phytoncides are characteristic of a certain group of MPHSs, namely tree and shrub conifers. In fact, all MPHSs produce phytoncides, as they are one of the major factors in its natural immunity. Today, most scientists call phytoncides “volatile MPHS-derived phytoorganics.” Phytoncides are NOCs that MPHSs release for their protection against bacteria, fungi and insects. Some phytoncides only slow down the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic action) and fungi (fungistatic), some kill bacteria and fungi (bactericidal and fungicidal actions, respectively). That is, fungicides can be called a complex of antimicrobials. These consist of alcohols, terpenoids, esters, aldehydes and many other compounds that inhibit the growth or kill pathogenic microorganisms. Some SMs are volatile substances, the most famous representative of phytonicides are essential oils. So non-volatile phytoncides eliminate absolutely all MPHSs, some also release volatile phytoncides. Only some of them are important only for the MPHS itself, and the benefit of other phytoncides that a person can extract for himself. The spectrum of action of phytoncides is extremely wide, it can be said - each specialist in trees in their own area, quite narrow. Phytoncides are their natural immunity. To some extent, the phytoncides of higher MPHSs - trees, grass, flowers - can be compared to antibiotics of lower MPHSs - fungi, but the action of phytoncides is undoubtedly stronger.

The problem is that natural phytoncides are very difficult to “pack”, and even essential oils lose their lion's share of their usefulness when they are extracted and further processed. The only way out is to go more often in the woods, fields, alleys or to get home healers in an apartment or on private land. MPHSs that produce phytoncides that kill harmful microorganisms around them. Thus, the volatile fraction of phytoncides fills the air with aerosols, the smallest particles. When aerosols rub against the air, an electric charge is created that fills the air with air ions capable of destroying the DNA structures of bacteria and fungi. Thus, due to the “chemical weapons” of MPHSs, the concentration of harmful microorganisms in the air decreases several times. Some visibility experiments; like, a small piece of soil in the forest dissolved in water and a drop of solution dripped onto the slide. At the same time, some drops of juice were squeezed from some forest MPHSs and dripped either near the water-soil mixture or directly into it. When observed under a microscope, it was found that living soil microorganisms perished for 4-20 minutes. Each MPHS contains its own Phytoncides: