EthnoHERBS: Harnessing traditional herbal knowledge for biodiversity conservation and innovative health solutions

Abstract

EthnoHERBS represents a pioneering multidisciplinary initiative that integrates traditional herbal knowledge with advanced natural product chemistry to promote biodiversity conservation and foster innovative cosmeceutical solutions. The project systematically documents centuries-old ethnobotanical practices across South-Eastern Europe, leading to the identification of a diverse array of medicinal and aromatic plants traditionally used to treat skin disorders. Employing environmentally friendly extraction techniques alongside cutting-edge analytical tools—including UHPLC-HRMS, CPC, and NMR spectroscopy—over 500 bioactive compounds have been characterized, with 30 novel secondary metabolites isolated and structurally elucidated. Advanced in silico methodologies, such as docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-GBSA rescoring, were implemented to evaluate the interaction profiles of these compounds with key skin disorder-related enzymes, including elastase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, and xanthine oxidase. Complementary in vitro and in vivo assays confirmed the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties of the selected extracts. Furthermore, the project underscores sustainable practices by establishing organic cultivation protocols and pilot-scale production processes, ensuring the eco-friendly exploitation of natural resources. By fostering extensive collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners under the Horizon 2020 framework, EthnoHERBS not only advances scientific research and innovative product development but also serves as a model for preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.