Centaurea sp.

Abstract

Centaurea is a large genus belonging to the Asteraceae family, which grows widely in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Centaurea includes about 500-900 species, of which 221 are endemic to Europe, and in Turkey 209 taxa are grown. This genus has been widely used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. Members of the Asteraceae family, including the Centaurea genus, are mostly rich in sesquiterpene lactones. It has also been reported to contain triterpenes, carotenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, and alkaloids. Many studies have shown that these compounds have many bioactivities. These biological activities include antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and many more activities. Nowadays, studies on the phytochemical content and biological activity of this genus are continuing. In this chapter of the book, the traditional usage of Centaurea species among the people in Turkey, its chemical constituent, and biological activities, which have been clarified by the studies, will be included. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Ufuk Koca-Caliskan; individual chapters, the contributors.