Mediterranean phytochemical plant diversity. the case of Calabrian flora

The Mediterranean is one of a major world centre of plant diversity, housing some 25-30 000 species, up to 50% of which are endemic to the region. Mediterranean basin is also one of a key centre of crop origins and diversity and the area is also one of the world wide well known source of medical and aromatic plants. The repertory of plant and uses can be find within the written medieval traditions. The folk medicine in the area has been preserved through the oral transmission of information and adapted on the base of direct experience of the different pathologies and remedies. The use of plants as food and medicines in Mediterranean Calabria is relevant in the local traditional health care system, since about 25% of the local flora are used. Many studies on the phytochemical compounds and biological activities of this rich heritage, in last decades were carried out by Phytochemical Laboratory (University of Calabria). The recent studies are focused mainly on antioxidant molecules and phytocomplex because the etiology of many diseases is based on the uncontrolled production of free radicals. The participation of free radicals as mediators of tissue damage has been, in fact, recognized in many pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. The chemical composition of biologically active compounds and their quantitative characteristics depends from genotypic and phenotypic factors. In this sense it is necessary to organise a study at large scale for testing as more as possible species and populations for their chemistry, pharmaceutical and nutraceutic value. This requires a cooperation and collaboration of different research centres on the one hand and the optimisation of procedures for phytochemical and biological analysis on the other.