Hornworts, Mosses, Clubmosses and Ferns

2.3.3 Hornworts

Hornworts such as Anthoceros agrestis, Anthoceros punctatus, and Folioceros fuciformis also contain rosmarinic acid (an antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant phenolic compound; Zelic ́ et al., 2005), rosmarinic acid 3′-O-β-d-glucoside (Vogelsang et al., 2006) and alkaloids (Trennhäuser, 1992; Trennhäuser et al., 1994). Anthoceros caucasicus is known to contain sesquiterpenes (Mekem Sonwa and König, 2003).

2.3.4 Mosses

Veljic ́ et al. (2009) tested the extracts of eight moss species, representing seven families, and found antibacterial and antifungal activities in all, although it is not known which particular secondary metabolites were involved. Some mosses are known to contain terpenes (Saritas et al., 2001).

2.3.5 Clubmosses

A range of alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds are produced by clubmosses (Liu et al., 2004, and references therein; Shi et al., 2005; Srivastava et al., 2008). These have traditionally been employed as painkillers and for burn treatments (Srivastava et al., 2008), and some also promise treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (Tang, 1996). Indeed, clubmoss extracts have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial and antifungal effects in the laboratory (Orhan et al., 2007a, 2007b). The traditional use of Lycopodium serratum for wound healing has recently received support from the finding that extracts do improve skin integrity during the healing process, at least when used on rats (Manjunatha et al., 2007).

2.3.6 Ferns

Ferns contain a range of compounds including flavonoids, terpenes, phloroglucinols, and xanthones (Soeder, 1985). Terpenes are common, being found in a range of fern life forms from aquatic species (Azolla nilotica, Azolla japonica; Arai et al., 1998; Nakane et al., 2003), herbs (Thelypteris hispidula, Woodwardia virginica; Hanu et al., 2003; Socolsky et al., 2005) to tree ferns (Lophosoria quadripinnata; Tanaka et al., 1992). Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) produces flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, echydones, cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, and phenolic acids (Cooper-Driver, 2008). Indeed, it is the ptaquiloside (a sesquiterpene) of bracken that can crosslink DNA and proteins, resulting in bladder cancer in humans and livestock (Wink, 2004).

Soure: Giacinto Bagetta, Marco Cosentino, Marie Tiziana Corasaniti, Shinobu Sakurada (2012); Herbal Medicines: Development and Validation of Plant-derived Medicines for Human Health; CRC Press