Plantain (P. lanceolata)

Plantain (P. lanceolata) grows in hot climates around the world because it is drought resistant. There are 265 identified species. In our country there are narrow-leaved (P. lanceolata) and broad-leaved (P. major, P. asiatica) species that grow naturally in meadows and pastures. 

The plant was used by ancient civilisations (Chinese, Greek and Egyptian) for its medicinal properties. It has been used as a medicinal plant throughout the world since ancient times. There are records of it being used to treat constipation, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids and high blood pressure. In the past it has also been used topically to treat skin irritations such as poisonous plant and insect bites and stings.

The active molecules found in the leaves of plantain species are glycosides (about 2-3% iridoid glycosides; aucubin and catalpol), flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin), tannins (phenolic carboxylic acid containing phydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, gentisinic, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids), polysaccharides (arabinogalactan with mucilaginous action) and vitamins. This makes the plant very valuable from a medicinal point of view. Studies have shown that iridoid glycosides (aucubin and catalpol), which are other important chemical constituents of the plant, increase by up to 9% in the leaf parts as the plant ages.  Aucubin has been shown to have wound-healing, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic and NF-kB inhibitory effects on mast cells. 

Particularly when the plant grows in salty and dry soil conditions, its flavour increases due to the high amount of sorbitol substance accumulated in the leaves. This makes it very palatable to grazing animals. For this reason, its use as an alternative feed additive for cattle and small livestock is currently being investigated. 

In recent studies, experimental data have shown that some plantain species have significant inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase and collagenase enzymes. In particular, P. major subsp. has been reported to exhibit in vitro enzyme activity.