Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Medicinal mosses of Uzbekistan: Biochemical profiling and review of their ethnopharmacological uses

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10353
Submitted
29 June 2025
Published
19-03-2026

Abstract

Mosses, a diverse group within the bryophyte division, have been historically used for their medicinal properties. Despite their global distribution and resilience to extreme environmental conditions, their medicinal potential remains underexplored, particularly in regions like Uzbekistan. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation into the medicinal mosses of Uzbekistan, focusing on Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. , Funaria hygrometrica Hedw., Marchantia polymorpha L. and Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda . Using advanced analytical techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the study determines the biochemical composition, amino acid profiles, carbohydrate content, water-soluble vitamins and elemental concentrations of these species. Results revealed that F. hygrometrica had the highest total amino acid content, particularly rich in arginine, aspartic acid and tyrosine, while B. rutabulum exhibited the highest carbohydrate concentration (19.53 mg/g). Marchantia polymorpha contained the highest levels of water-soluble vitamins, including B and C complexes. Mineral analysis confirmed the presence of 41 essential elements, such as copper, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium, with cadmium and lead concentrations remaining below Uzbekistan’s safety thresholds. In addition, the study reviews traditional medicinal applications of mosses globally, with particular emphasis on those within Uzbekistan's bryoflora. These results emphasise the bioactive potential of bryophytes and enhance the knowledge of their biochemical characteristics, therapeutic value and uses in natural medicine.

References

  1. 1. Newman DJ, Cragg GM, Snader KM. Natural products as sources of new drugs over the period 1981–2002. J Nat Prod. 2003;66(7):1022–37. https://doi.org/10.1021/np030096l
  2. 2. Shaw AJ, Szövényi P, Shaw B. Bryophyte diversity and evolution: Windows into the early evolution of land plants. Am J Bot. 2011;98(3):352–69. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1000316
  3. 3. Goffinet B, Buck WR. Classification of mosses. In: Goffinet B, Shaw AJ, editors. Bryophyte Biology. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2019. p. 55–138.
  4. 4. Oliver MJ, Velten J, Mishler BD. Desiccation tolerance in bryophytes: A reflection of the primitive strategy for plant survival in dehydrating habitats. Integr Comp Biol. 2005;45(5):788–99. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/45.5.788
  5. 5. Ogidi O, Ogregade I, Joshua S. Investigation of renal protective effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam) extract in acetaminophen induced toxicity in Albino rats. Med Pharm J. 2024;3(2):82–93. https://doi.org/10.55940/medphar202485
  6. 6. Proctor MCF, Tuba Z. Poikilohydry and homoiohydry: Antithesis or spectrum of possibilities? New Phytol. 2007;176(4):739–41.
  7. 7. Glime JM. Bryophyte Ecology. Vols. 1–5. Michigan Technological University and International Association of Bryologists; 2017.
  8. 8. Sabovljević MS, Vukojević J, Sabovljević A. Bryophytes as a source of biologically active compounds and their potential in biotechnology. J Biotechnol. 2020;318:21–30.
  9. 9. Bijaoui G, Valls J, Labarre A. Moss secondary metabolites and their potential as antimicrobial agents. Phytochem Rev. 2019;18(6):1395–1410.
  10. 10. Zhou Q, Tang W, Li Y. Ethnobotanical studies of bryophytes in Chinese medicine. Chin J Integr Med. 2010;16(3):217–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178494
  11. 11. Chen Y, Zhao Y, Li X. Traditional Chinese medicinal uses of mosses: A review. Chin Med. 2012;7(1):23.
  12. 12. Mukherjee PK, Nema NK, Venkatesh P, Debnath PK. Changing scenario for promotion and development of Ayurveda—way forward. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;134(3):535–41.
  13. 13. Cox PA. Ethnobotany: Science or fad? Econ Bot. 2000;54(3):384–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02866596
  14. 14. Singh S, Sinha RK, Sahu RK. Ethnopharmacological uses of bryophytes: A review. Indian J Tradit Know. 2019;18(3):484–92.
  15. 15. Shao Y, Liu X, Liu R. Plant polyphenols and their preventive role in cancer. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:1348675.
  16. 16. Tojibaev KS, Beshko NY, Karimov FK. Endemic and rare species of the flora of Uzbekistan: Current status and conservation. Turk J Bot. 2020;44(6):697–710.
  17. 17. Mamadalieva NZ, Winkelmann F, Bacher M. Medicinal plants from Uzbekistan: Diversity and bioactivity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;211:83–96.
  18. 18. Zhalov K, Abdirasulov F. Bryophytes of the Western Zerafshan Ridge (Uzbekistan). Plant Sci Today. 2022;9(2):438–42. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.1526
  19. 19. Zhalov K, Abdirasulov F, Pardaboyev S, Khurramova M, Nagmetullaev M, Zafar M, et al. Microhabitat Hydrology and Early Succession: Liverworts as Ecohydrological Indicators. Ecohydrology. 2025;18(7):e70126. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.70126
  20. 20. Zhalov K, Abdirasulov F, Jabborov M, Khurramov O, Suvonova G, Turniyozova N. Ecological and coenotic analysis of the bryoflora of the Urgut botanical-geographical region (Uzbekistan). BIO Web Conf. 2025;194:01075. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202519401075
  21. 21. Cohen SA, Strydom DJ. Amino acid analysis utilizing phenylisothiocyanate derivatives. Anal Biochem. 1988;174(1):1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(88)90512-X
  22. 22. Sica DA, Struthers AD, Cushman WC, Wood M, Banas JS Jr, Epstein M. Importance of potassium in cardiovascular disease. J Clin Hypertens. 2002;4(3):198–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-6175.2002.01728.x
  23. 23. Harris ES. Ethnobryology: traditional uses and folk classification of bryophytes. J Bryol. 2008;111(2):169–217. https://doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745(2008)111[169:ETUAFC]2.0.CO;2
  24. 24. Sawant UJ, Karadge BA. Antimicrobial activity of some bryophytes (liverworts and a hornwort) from Kolhapur district. Phcog J. 2010;2(16):29–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0975-3575(10)80046-X
  25. 25. Motti R, Palma AD, de Falco B. Bryophytes used in folk medicine: An ethnobotanical overview. Horticulturae. 2023;9(2):137. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020137
  26. 26. Lee DY, Kim EH. Therapeutic effects of amino acids in liver diseases: current studies and future perspectives. J Cancer Prev. 2019;24(2):72–78. https://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2019.24.2.72
  27. 27. Akatın MY, Kemal ME, Batan N. Antimicrobial activities of some bryophytes collected from Trabzon, Türkiye and preparation of herbal soap and cream using Pellia epiphylla extract for the first time. Anatol Bryol. 2022;8(1):30–36. https://doi.org/10.26672/anatolianbryology.1062224
  28. 28. Tosun A, Akkol EK, Suntar I, Yesilada E. Phytochemical investigations and bioactivity evaluation of liverworts as a function of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in animal models. Pharm Biol. 2013;51(12):1500–10. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.774028
  29. 29. Drobnik J, Stebel A. Four centuries of medicinal mosses and liverworts in European ethnopharmacy and scientific pharmacy: A review. Plants. 2021;10(7):1296. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071296
  30. 30. Costică M, Stratu A, Costică N, Costică ML. Liverworts and mosses from Romania with medicinal potential. Acta Biol Marisiensis. 2023;6(2):113–27. https://doi.org/10.2478/abmj-2023-0015
  31. 31. El Kahkahi R, Moustaine M, Zouhair R. Urtica dioica L.: A comprehensive review of its phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties. Med Pharm J. 2025;4(2):64–78. https://doi.org/10.55940/medphar2025121
  32. 32. Singh M, Rawat AKS, Govindarajan R. Antimicrobial activity of some Indian mosses. Fitoterapia. 2007;78(2):156–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.10.008
  33. 33. Wolski GJ, Sadowska B, Fol M, Podsędek A, Kajszczak D, Kobylińska A. Cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of mosses obtained from open habitats. PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257479. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257479
  34. 34. Kimura K, Nakamura Y, Inaba Y, Matsumoto M, Kido Y, Asahara S, et al. Histidine augments the suppression of hepatic glucose production by central insulin action. Diabetes. 2013;62(7):2266–77. https://doi.org/10.2337/db12-1701
  35. 35. Brosnan ME, Brosnan JT. Hepatic glutamate metabolism: a tale of 2 hepatocytes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;90(3):857S–61S. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.27462Z
  36. 36. Senthilkumar R, Viswanathan P, Nalini N. Effect of glycine on oxidative stress in rats with alcohol induced liver injury. Pharmazie. 2004;59(1):55–60.
  37. 37. Wu G, Wu Z, Dai Z, Yang Y, Wang W, Liu C, et al. Dietary requirements of “nutritionally non-essential amino acids” by animals and humans. Amino Acids. 2013;44(4):1107–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-012-1444-2
  38. 38. Elia M, Cummings JH. Physiological aspects of energy metabolism and gastrointestinal effects of carbohydrates. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61(1):S40–74. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602938
  39. 39. Chandel NS. Carbohydrate metabolism. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2021;13(1):a040568. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a040568
  40. 40. Lykstad J, Sharma S. Biochemistry, water soluble vitamins. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  41. 41. Chawla J, Kvarnberg D. Hydrosoluble vitamins. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;120:891–914. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-4087-0.00059-0
  42. 42. El-Magd NFA, Eraky SM. The molecular mechanism underlining the preventive effect of vitamin D against hepatic and renal acute toxicity through the NrF2/BACH1/HO-1 pathway. Life Sci. 2020;244:117331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117331
  43. 43. Deshmukh SV, Prabhakar B, Kulkarni YA. Water soluble vitamins and their role in diabetes and its complications. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2020;16(7):649–56. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573399815666190916114040
  44. 44. Alberts A, Moldoveanu ET, Niculescu AG, Grumezescu AM. Vitamin C: a comprehensive review of its role in health, disease prevention and therapeutic potential. Molecules. 2025;30(3):748. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30030748
  45. 45. He FJ, MacGregor GA. Beneficial effects of potassium on human health. Physiol Plant. 2008;133(4):725–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.01033.x
  46. 46. Power ML, Heaney RP, Kalkwarf HJ, Pitkin RM, Repke JT, Tsang RC, Schulkin J. The role of calcium in health and disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;181(6):1560–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70404-7
  47. 47. Skalnaya MG, Skalny AV. Essential trace elements in human health: a physician’s view. Tomsk: Publishing House of Tomsk State University; 2018. p. 1–222.
  48. 48. SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01. Hygienic requirements for the safety and nutritional value of food products (for biologically active additives to plant-based food). 2001.
  49. 49. SanPiN No. 0366-19. The Republic of Uzbekistan sanitary rules, standards and hygienic standards. Familiarize yourself with the products on hygienic risk management. 2019.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.