Ajuga turkestanica

Plant Name

Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq
Syn.- Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. turkestanica (Regel) Rech. f

Botanical Info

Subshrub of 40-60 cm heigh. The type close to Ajuga chamaecistis, differs from it in being more mesophilic.

Geography:

Central Asia: Pamiro-Alaj. Grows on clay, petrous and rubbly slopes, rocks, taluses. Reaches elevation of up to 2500 m.

Chemical Content

Neo-Clerodane diterpenoids (ajugachin B, ajugapitin,
chamaepitin, 14,15-dihydroajugachin B, 14- hydro-15-methoxyajugachin B, lupulin A); phytoecdysteroids (ajugalactone, ajugasterone B, cyasterone,
cyasterone-22-acetate , alpha-ecdysone, ecdysterone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, turkesterone) ; cheilanthrone A; iridoids (harpagide, 8-O-acetylharpigide); carbohydrates (fructose, galactose, glucose, fructose, galactouronic acid, glucofructose, inulin, pectin)

Traditional Use and Activity

Plant is used in the treatment of heart disease, muscle aches, and stomach problems. Plant extracts and isolated compounds possess a broad spectrum of biological, pharmacological and medicinal properties, such as anabolic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiestrogenic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antileukemic, antimalarial, antimycobacterial, antioxidant, antipyretic, cardiotonic, cytotoxic, hypoglycemic, and vasorelaxing activity. The extract is offered for stimulation of aquaporins – for human skin hydration in cosmetology. The plant has hepatoprotective properties.