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Huge therapeutic potential
Plants have developed extremely complex biochemical mechanisms that allow them to adapt and survive in a changing environment. One of the effects of this evolution are bioatractors — specific secondary metabolites produced in response to environmental or biotic stress.
Modern phytopharmacy sees in these compounds a huge therapeutic potential that can contribute to the development of new herbal medicines, natural dietary supplements and therapies supporting the treatment of civilization diseases.
Bioatractors
Bioatractors are reactive secondary molecules synthesized by plants under the influence of specific environmental stimuli:
• Abiotic stress: drought, UV radiation, extreme temperatures, soil and air pollution.
• Biotic stress: pathogen attack (bacteria, fungi, viruses), insect and herbivorous feeding.
• Mechanical factors: tissue damage.
Characteristic features of bioatractors:
• they are formed only in response to specific conditions;
• they have a high degree of quantitative and qualitative variability;
• they often perform protective or signaling functions;
• they can affect the biological systems of mammals, including humans.
The most commonly identified classes of bioatractants include:
• alkaloids,
• terpenoids,
• flavonoids,
• glycosides,
• lignans,
• saponins,
• phenolic compounds.
Their biological activity includes antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties.
Bioatractors and plant metabolic variability
Secondary metabolism in plants is dynamic and highly sensitive to environmental factors. Studies show that:
• seasonality,
• temperature,
• water availability,
• sunlight,
• altitude,
• atmospheric pollution
significantly modulate the quantity and quality of bioatractants produced.
In addition, mechanical stimuli, such as leaf damage or induction of oxidative stress, can activate specific biosynthetic pathways of bioactive compounds.
Example:
In plants exposed to UV radiation, an increase in the production of flavonoids with antioxidant activity is observed, which can protect both plants and potentially human cells from oxidative stress.
The importance of bioatractors in pharmacology
Bioatractors are a source of:
• antimicrobial drugs (e.g. artemisinin against malaria),
• anticancer drugs (e.g. taxol from shortleaf yew),
• neuroprotective substances (e.g. galantamine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease).
Their advantages over synthetic drugs are:
• greater biocompatibility with the human body,
• lower risk of side effects,
• multidirectional mechanism of action (synergism of effects).
Plant Selection Strategies for Bioatractor Research
The selection of plants with high potential for bioatractant production is carried out using various methodologies:
Randomized approach
It uses random sampling of plants in regions of high endemism. It enables the discovery of completely new, undescribed bioactive compounds.
Ecological approach
It is based on the observation of ecological interactions, e.g. plant defense against pathogens and herbivores. Bioatractants selected in this approach may have natural antimicrobial or neuroactive mechanisms.
Chemosystematic approach
Based on chemical phylogeny. Selection of plants from taxonomic families known to produce specific classes of metabolites (e.g. Rutaceae—rich in alkaloids).
Ethnographic approach (ethnoguided)
Analysis of traditional medical systems of different cultures. Ethnopharmacology combines biological, chemical, and cultural perspectives, providing valuable information on effective species and their uses.
Unique Challenges and Directions for Bioatractor Research
Standardization
The key problem remains achieving repeatability of the composition of plant extracts, taking into account environmental variability. It is necessary to:
• isolate active fractions,
• establish biochemical markers,
• develop standard procedures for growing and harvesting raw materials.
Modern technologies
Modern research uses:
• metabolomics — for comprehensive analysis of secondary metabolites,
• functional genomics — to identify genes responsible for the production of bioatractants,
• metabolic engineering — to increase the production of selected compounds in tissue cultures.
The role of bioatractors in the prevention of lifestyle diseases
Bioatractors have enormous potential in:
• protection against cancer,
• prevention of neurodegenerative diseases,
• modulation of the immune system,
• treatment of bacterial and viral infections.
WHO Recommendations and the Development of Bioatractor Research
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of medicinal plants in the context of public health.
In its guidelines, the WHO recommends:
• conducting regional studies on traditional uses of plants,
• validation of effective practices through scientific research,
• elimination of ineffective or harmful practices,
• development of programs for cultivating medicinal plants.
Bioatractants are an important element of this strategy, offering the possibility of integrating traditional medical systems with modern pharmaceutical methods. Their use opens the way to the development of safer, more effective and more sustainable medicines of the future.