Interdisciplinary biotechnological approach for analysis and modulation of the biological potential of the medicinal plant Nepeta nuda

Miroslava Zhiponova

doi:10.3897/aca.8.e177507

ARPHA Conference Abstracts : Conference Abstract

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Conference Abstract

Interdisciplinary biotechnological approach for analysis and modulation of the biological potential of the medicinal plant Nepeta nuda

Miroslava Zhiponova ^‡

‡ Sofia University, Faculty of Biology, Sofia, Bulgaria

Corresponding author: Miroslava Zhiponova (zhiponova@biofac.uni-sofia.bg)

Received: 08 Nov 2025 | Published: 08 Nov 2025

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Zhiponova M (2025) INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR ANALYSIS AND MODULATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT NEPETA NUDA. ARPHA Conference Abstracts 8: e177507. https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.8.e177507

Abstract

This study on medicinal plants focuses primarily on non-enzymatic defense mechanisms, which have applications in plant science, traditional and modern medicine, the food industry, pharmacology, and cosmetics (Zhiponova et al. 2022). A key characteristic of biologically active compounds is their dependence on developmental and environmental factors. Nepeta nuda (catnip; Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant rich in secondary metabolites and known for its adaptability, prompting us to adopt a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to better understand this relatively understudied species.

First, the taxonomic position of N. nuda was determined using DNA barcoding. Phytochemical analysis of N. nuda extracts identified various compounds, including phenolic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, iridoids, and primary metabolites (Petrova et al. 2022, Petrova et al. 2024, Zaharieva et al. 2023). The aqueous extracts exhibited the strongest antitumor effect against colon cancer cells, primarily through a proapoptotic mechanism (Gospodinova et al. 2024).

Comparative analyses between wild-grown (naturally occurring or ex vitro adapted) and in vitro-cultivated plants revealed that metabolic changes were associated with biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-herpesvirus, and anti-inflammatory effects (Petrova et al. 2022, Petrova et al. 2023, Petrova et al. 2024, Zaharieva et al. 2023). Interestingly, the antimicrobial potential remained largely consistent across different growth conditions (Petrova et al. 2022, Petrova et al. 2024). The highest bioactive compound content was found in flowers and leaves, while in vitro-grown plants showed a marked reduction (Petrova et al. 2022, Zaharieva et al. 2023).

Phytochemical production was shown to be regulated by phytohormones, with light and temperature identified as key environmental signals influencing gene expression and plant physiology (Zhiponova et al. 2024, Zhiponova et al. 2025). These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying metabolic biosynthesis in plant species rich in biologically active compounds (Fig. 1).

Figure 1.

Summary of Nepeta nuda project.

Keywords

biological activities, light, metabolites, Nepeta nuda, physiology, temperature

Presenting author

Miroslava Zhiponova

Presented at

International Conference on Natural Sciences & Biotechnology – KLIMENT’S DAYS 2025, to be held on November 6 – 7, 2025, in Sofia, Bulgaria

Acknowledgements

The project coordinator extends sincere appreciation and gratitude to all participants for their constructive and valuable discussions, research contributions, and friendship:

Faculty of Biology of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", with participation of the Faculty of Medicine, Bulgaria

Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

Agrobioinstitute of Agricultural Academy, Bulgaria

University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, Serbia

Funding program

Bulgarian National Science Fund, Ministry of Education and Science, Grant No. KP-06-N56/9/12.11.2021.

Centre of Competence “Sustainable Utilization of Bio-resources and Waste of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Innovative Bioactive Products” (BIORESOURCES BG), Bulgaria project BG16FPR002-1.014-0001, funded by the Program “Research, Innovation and Digitization for Smart Transformation” 2021-2027, co-funded by the EU.

Grant title

Interdisciplinary Biotechnological Approach for Analysis and Modulation of the Biological Potential of the Medicinal Plant Nepeta nuda

Hosting institution

Faculty of Biology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Conflicts of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Supplementary material

Endnotes