Bioactive Potential of the Lamiaceae Family, with a Focus on Lamium Species: A Review of Anticancer, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Mechanisms

The Lamiaceae family comprises over 7.200 medicinal plant species and represents a rich source of biologically active compounds. Lamium species have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their diverse bioactive properties and therapeutic potential. This review synthesizes the current evidence on the antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial mechanisms associated with Lamium species and related Lamiaceae members. The therapeutic effects of these plants are largely attributed to their abundant secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and essential oils. As antioxidants, these compounds mitigate oxidative stress through free radical scavenging and redox modulation. The review highlights the cytotoxic effects observed in prostate, lung, and breast cancer cell lines, with key mechanisms involving apoptosis induction and reduced cell viability. Lamiaceae extracts demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens by disrupting bacterial membrane integrity and inhibiting essential microbial enzymes. Overall, the bioactive profiles of Lamium species underscore their potential as promising candidates for natural product–based drug discovery and future clinical applications.