Context: Five species of the genus Ajuga (Lamiaceae) having the common name of "bugle" are found in Iran. In Persian medicine (PM), the genus Ajuga (Kamaphytus) is used for treating jaundice, joint pain, gout, amenorrhea, sciatica, and wound healing. This study aimed to review the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and biological activities of Ajuga species that grow in Iran to determine their therapeutic potentials and suggest further studies on the healing properties of this genus in Iran. Evidence Acquisition: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were comprehensively searched for studies on Ajuga species in Iran, including "Ajuga austro-iranica," "Ajuga chamaecistus," "Ajuga comata" (Syn.: "Ajuga Chia," "Ajuga chamaepitys subsp. Chia"), "Ajuga orientalis," and "Ajuga reptans." The search period was from 1966 to February 2021. The related articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the current study. Results: Several ethnobotanical and pharmacologic reports have verified the traditional uses of the genus Ajuga for anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, analgesic, anabolic, anti-arthritis, antipyretic, and hepatoprotective activities. Numerous phytochemicals have been identified from Ajuga species involving phytoecdysteroids, neo-clerodane-diterpenes, iridoids, flavonoids, withanolides, phenylethyl glycoside, and essential oils. Conclusions: Due to the beneficial therapeutic effects of Ajuga genus, it can be considered in future clinical studies as a source of natural antioxidants, dietary supplements in the pharmaceutical industry, and stabilizing food against oxidative deterioration.
Background: Polygonatum orientale, an herbaceous and perennial plant from family Asparagaceae, is native to the forests of northern Iran. The hypoglycemic effects of other species of the Polygonatum have been proven. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of P. orientale rhizome extract and its effects on the antioxidant enzymes in the plasma of the normal and streptozocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: 30 male rats were divided into 6 groups; healthy control, negative control, positive control (metformin, 500 mg/kg) and three groups of diabetic rats (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) that received the ethanolic (70%) extract orally. After 28 days effects of the extract on blood glucose, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, as well as total antioxidant capacity of the plasma (by FRAP test) were investigated. Results: According to the results, the percentage of reduction in blood glucose in the groups of 400 (2%) and 800 (25%) mg/kg compared to the diabetic control group was significantly different, (P<0.05) and (P<0.001), respectively. The difference in blood glucose levels between 400 and 800 mg/kg and metformin was not significant (P>0.05). Also, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract reduced the amount of SOD in the plasma comparable to the normal group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of rhizome of P. orientale exhibits a significant hypoglycemic effect that may be related to the presence of steroids, flavonoids and polysaccharides.
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