Cryopreservation of Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert (Chamomile) Callus

Abstract

Chamomile is one of oldest known medicinal herbs and was used in ancient Egypt, Greece and other Mediterranean countries. There are two herbs commonly called chamomile: German chamomile (Hungarian chamomile or wild chamomile) — (Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert, syn. Matricaria recutita L.) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L., syn. Anthemis nobilis L.). Chamomilla recutita was originally native to southeastern and southern Europe but is now commonly distributed all over the world, except in tropical and arctic regions. Chamomile grows in fields and many other habitats throughout Europe, Russia and Asia, and is naturalised in Australia and the United States; however, it prefers cultivated ground. Chamaemelum nobile is native to southwestern and northwestern regions of Europe (Spain, France, England) and is scattered around the eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans and Crimea. Both German and Roman chamomiles are cultivated but German chamomile is the principle article of commerce, both on the European continent and in the United States. Some 4000 to 5000 tons of chamomiles are produced annually throughout the world (Mann and Staba 1986). Both chamomiles are used in traditional herbalism and medicine. However, German chamomile is more frequently preferred for medicinal use. In Europe today, a large number of pharmaceutical preparations are available containing either extracts of chamomile or volatile oil. The volatile oil content in German chamomile varies from 0.14%–1.9% and is composed of (−)-α-bisabolol, (−)-α-bisabololoxids A and B, (−)-α-bisabolonoxide, chamazulene, farnesene and spiro-ether. The volatile oil constituents have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, reduce inflammation and act as mild antibacterials. Other important compounds identified in German chamomile are flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin and quercetin. These display inhibitory effects in vitro on the proliferation of certain malignant cells (Agullo et al. 1997). Some alkylated flavonoids contribute to the anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. The anti-inflammatory effect is characteristic for other classes of compounds like coumarins, herniarin and umbelliferone. The essential oil of the Roman chamomile contains less chamazulene and contains mainly esters of angelic and tiglic acid. It also contains farnesene and α-pinene. Some important flavonoids found in German chamomile are also present in Roman chamomile.