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The chemical analysis of three Algerian plants was conducted by using Headspace Solid Phase Micro Extraction coupled with Gas Chromatogr aphy Mass Spectrometry (HS SPME GC/ MS). This analysis was performed directly on the dried aerial parts of the plants. The results revealed that the major compounds are 1,8 cineol (27.3%) in Ajuga iva, cis-muurola-3,5 diene (14.6%) in Salvia verbenaca and 2,3-dehydro 1,4-cineol (36%) in Thymus algeriensis . The oxygenated monoterpenes are the major class representing 62.1% and 78.4% in Ajuga iva and Thymus a lgeriensis , respectively, whereas the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are the major class in Salvia verbena ca representing 50.1%. Identification of naturally rare monoterpene ether, 2,3-dehydro 1,4-cineol was the first time in the Ajuga iva Salvia verbenaca and Thymus algeriensis.

To establish a resource base of medicinal plants of Donbass, and to develop methods for their balanced use, it is necessary to conduct an inventory and analysis of the spread of wild species, that recently was not carried out in Luhansk and Donetsk region. These circumstances have served as an incentive to carry out special investigations. Test species belong to 403 genus and 108 families. List of vascular plants of Luhansk region has more than 1,200 species. We have established that in the study area, there are 718 species of medicinal plants, representing 60 % of the total flora of the region, covering so much of the taxonomic diversity of Donbass flora. The family of the Asteraceae (105 species, 50 genuses) is different in terms of the greatest number of species of medicinal plants and genus family. The families of Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae contain more than 40 species, the families of Apiaceae и Rosaceae — over 30 species, Caryophylaceae и Polygonaceae — more than 20 species, a total of 301 species. The remaining 99 families presented a small number of basic taxonomic units. The species Viscum album, Ajuga chia, Salvia nemorosa were found during expeditions. These species have not been previously described for the region.

Objectives In this study, it was aimed to characterize the phenolic contents of Ajuga reptans L., Ajuga salicifolia (L.) Schreber and Ajuga genevensis L. and to investigate their in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Materials and Methods Air dried aerial parts of A. reptans L., A. salicifolia (L.) Schreber, and A. genevensis L. collected from Turkey were extracted with methanol (70%), and the phenolic composition of the crude extracts was analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. To determine the total phenolic content the Folin-Ciocalteu method was used. The radical scavenging activities of the extracts were evaluated by the photometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays (TEAC). Furthermore, Ajuga sp. extracts were tested against Escherichia coli NRRL B3008, Staphylococcus areus ATCC 6538, Salmonella thyphimurium ATCC 13311, Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Candida tropicalis ATCC 1369, and Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 using the in vitro broth dilution assay. Results The LC-MS/MS analyses identified 19 compounds. The amount of total phenolics ranged from 30.0 to 42.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g in all extracts. According to the results of TEAC assay, the tested extracts were found to have relatively high activity at 1.2-1.5 mM concentrations. Ajuga sp. extracts inhibited all tested microorganisms; however, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis exhibited relatively more susceptibility (minimum inhibitory concentration: 156.25 µg/mL) compared to the bacteria tested. Conclusion The antioxidant activities of all extracts were determined for the first time by the TEAK method, and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of A. salicifolia was investigated for the first time against selected strains.

The main objective of this research was to study the biological characteristics in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of

The Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2), which is encoded by PTPN11, participates in many cellular signaling pathways and is closely related to various tumorigenesis. Inhibition of the abnormal activity of SHP2 by small molecules is an important part of cancer treatment. Here, three abietane diterpenoids, named compounds

Ajuga integrifolia Buch. -Ham. ex D.Don — Habit: Herb. Habitat: LMWF, LMDF, BZ, UMF; up to 3 400 m. Distribution: II. Voucher: Naro Moru Track, Alt. 2 412 m, 25 Jul. 2014, SAJIT 002120 (HIB). References: Blundell (1987), Bussmann (1993, 1994), Agnew (2013)., Published as part of Zhou, Ya-Dong, Mwachala, Geoffrey, Hu, Guang-Wan & Wang, Qing-Feng, 2022, Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Mount Kenya, East Africa, pp. 1-108 in Phytotaxa 546 (1) on page 85, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.546.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550464, {"references":["Blundell, M. (1987) Collins guide to the wild flowers of East Africa. Collins, London, 464 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1993) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): A phytosociological approach with special reference to ecological problems. Ph. D. Thesis, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, 119 pp.","Bussmann, R. W. (1994) The forest of Mt. Kenya (Kenya): Vegetation, ecology, destruction and management of a tropical mountain forest ecosystem. Ph. D. dissertation, Universitat Bayreuth Startseite, Bayreuth, 252 pp.","Agnew, A. D. Q. (2013) Upland Kenya wild flowers and ferns, 3 rd edn. Nature Kenya Publications, Nairobi, 733 pp."]}

Herbal medicines are attractive agents for human care. In this study, we found that the alcohol extract of Ajuga taiwanensis (ATE) screened from a chemical bank exhibited potent capacity for suppressing senescence associated biomarkers, including SA-β-gal and up-regulated p53 in old human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) without induction of significant cytotoxicity up to 100 µg/ml. Concomitantly, cells re-entered the cell cycle by reducing G1 phase arrest and increasing cell growth rate. The ATE was further partitioned to obtain the sub-fractions of n-butanol (BuOH), ethyl acetate (EA) and water. The BuOH and water sub-fractions exhibited less effects on prohibition of cell growth than the EA sub-fraction. All of these sub-fractions exhibited the ability on suppressing SA-β-gal and p53 of old HDFs as low as 5–10 µg/ml. Under the activity guided fractionation and isolation, a major active constituent named AT-1 was isolated. The AT-1 was further identified as 8-O-acetylharpagide by structural analysis, and it could suppress SA-β-gal and p53 of old HDFs below 10 µM. In addition, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of old HDFs were suppressed by ATE, the sub-fractions of BuOH and water, and AT-1. However, the EA sub-fraction showed little ability on suppression of ROS. Furthermore, we performed an in vivo study using aging mice to be fed with ATE and the sub-fractions followed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The expression of p53 and SA-β-gal was significantly reduced in several tissue sections, including skin, liver, kidney, and spleen. Taken together, current data demonstrated that A. taiwanensis could suppress cellular senescence in HDFs, and might be used for health care.

Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth. is an endangered medicinal herb traditionally used against different ailments. The present study aimed to create new insight into the fundamental mechanisms of genetic transformation and the biological activities of this plant. We transformed the A. bracteosa plant with rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes and raised the regenerants from the hairy roots. These transgenic regenerants were screened for in vitro antioxidant activities, a range of in vivo assays, elemental analysis, polyphenol content, and different phytochemicals found through HPLC. Among 18 polyphenolic standards, kaempferol was most abundant in all transgenic lines. Furthermore, transgenic line 3 (ABRL3) showed maximum phenolics and flavonoids content among all tested plant extracts. ABRL3 also demonstrated the highest total antioxidant capacity (8.16 ± 1 μg AAE/mg), total reducing power, (6.60 ± 1.17 μg AAE/mg), DPPH activity (IC50 = 59.5 ± 0.8 μg/mL), hydroxyl ion scavenging (IC50 = 122.5 ± 0.90 μg/mL), and iron-chelating power (IC50 = 154.8 ± 2 μg/mL). Moreover, transformed plant extracts produced significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antidepressant activities in BALB/c mice models. In conclusion, transgenic regenerants of A. bracteosa pose better antioxidant and pharmacological properties under the effect of rol genes as compared to wild-type plants.

Since the seeds of endemic Ajuga vestita are difficult to germinate naturally they were subjected to in vitro culture. Highest rate of germination was obtained in 1/4 MS medium supplemented with 30 g sucrose in light. Microshoots subcultured in 1/1 MS supplemented with 0.125 mg/l Kn rooted well and transferred to soil with 80% success.

The management of blood glucose level is the hallmark in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and this may be achieved through the inhibition of the digestive enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of this work is the investigation of phenolic compounds content, antioxidant activity and for the first time, the in vitro anti-hyperglycemic potential of aerial part of Ajuga iva Schreber extracts through the inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), responsible of the digestion of poly and oligosaccharides. Test for total phenolic content showed that the methanol extract has the highest polyphenolic and flavonoid concentrations with (65.3 mg GAEs/g extract and 132.6 mg REs/g extract). The methanol extract has also exhibited the higher antioxidant activity compared to the aqueous extract in different tests with (IC50 = 0.187 ± 0.016 mg/mL; 62.19 ± 0.45 mg TE/g extract; 89.12 ± 0.23 mg AAE/g extract) in DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests, respectively. Ajuga iva extracts exhibited a remarkable inhibitory activity against key digestive enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes, with a more potent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase and a considerable inhibition against α-amylase. The results indicated also that the tested extracts are non-toxic with an LD50 higher than 2 g/kg in female Swiss mice. These results suggested that the phenolic compounds in A. iva extracts maybe behind the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. However, further investigations regarding the bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action are required for developing new natural drugs against diabetes-related hyperglycemia.

The effect of dietary supplementation with a biotechnological extract of Ajuga reptans on growth performance, oxidative status and immune parameters was evaluated in post weaning piglets. At weaning, 120 piglets with an average live weight of 8.1±1.3 kg, were assigned to one of three experimental groups. The first group was fed a control diet (C). The second and third groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 5 mg (T1) and 10 mg (T2) of teupolioside/kg feed from a biotechnological plant extract. Growth performances were recorded and blood samples were collected at the beginning, at 14 days, and at the end of the trial (56 days). Serum biochemical parameters, oxidative status and immunoglobulin titres were determined. Average daily gain tended to be higher (P=0.057) and live weight was higher in piglets (PAjuga reptans containing teupolioside has an antioxidant and immunomodulant effect.

Many species of the genus Ajuga (family Lamiaceae) contain phytoecdysteroids and clerodane diterpenes. Phytoecdysteroids are triterpene-derived analogues of steroid hormones that control molting and metamorphosis in arthropods, whereas clerodanes deter phytophagous insects. We identified and quantified phytoecdysteroid and clerodane contents in three Ajuga plant species in Israel. Leaves and roots of Ajuga iva, Ajuga chamaepitys (Ajuga chia), and Ajuga orientalis were collected from three different populations. Using liquid chromatography–time of flight–mass spectrometry analysis, we identified three phytoecdysteroids: 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone), makisterone A, and cyasterone and two clerodanes: dihydroajugapitin and columbin. Their contents varied significantly among plant species, organs, and populations. The highest concentrations of 20-hydroxyecdysone, makisterone A, and cyasterone were recorded in leaves and roots of A. iva. Cyasterone content tended to be higher in leaves of A. chamaepitys. Cl...

Members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) accumulate a wide variety of industrially and medicinally relevant diterpenes. We recently sequenced leaf transcriptomes from 48 phylogenetically diverse Lamiaceae species. Here, we summarize the available chemotaxonomic and enzyme activity data for diterpene synthases (diTPSs) in the Lamiaceae and leverage the new transcriptomes to explore the diTPS sequence and functional space. Candidate genes were selected with an intent to evenly sample the sequence homology space and to focus on species in which diTPS transcripts were found, yet from which no diterpene structures have been previously reported. We functionally characterized nine class II diTPSs and 10 class I diTPSs from 11 distinct plant species and found five class II activities, including two novel activities, as well as a spectrum of class I activities. Among the class II diTPSs, we identified a neo-cleroda-4(18),13E-dienyl diphosphate synthase from Ajuga reptans, catalyzing the likely first step in the biosynthesis of a variety of insect-antifeedant compounds. Among the class I diTPSs was a palustradiene synthase from Origanum majorana, leading to the discovery of specialized diterpenes in that species. Our results provide insights into the diversification of diterpene biosynthesis in the mint family and establish a comprehensive foundation for continued investigation of diterpene biosynthesis in the Lamiaceae.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the noncommunicable diseases that is becoming a pandemic in Africa. In Morocco, traditional healers have started to use herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes either individually or in combination with food. The current study aimed to perform an ethnobiological survey of antidiabetic plants use in the Taza region of Morocco. A total of 193 traditional healers were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed utilizing the use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and relative frequency citation (RFC) indices. Forty-six plant species belonging to 28 families were recorded for the treatment of diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. The most frequently cited plant species are Salvia officinalis, Marrubium vulgare, and Ajuga iva. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae were the most reported families. Leaves are the most used part of plants to prepare drugs, the decoction is the preferred mode of preparation, and remedies are often administered orally. Interestingly, Cytisus battandieri, Urginea maritima, Plantago ovata, and Ziziphus jujuba were reported as new medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. People in the Taza region still rely on indigenous plants for their basic healthcare needs. Further research should be carried out to validate the antidiabetic effect of the newly reported plant species. This validation can be investigated by the determination of bioactive compounds and evaluation of their in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects.

Dry extracts from the Eurasian plants, Ajuga turkestanica, Eurycoma longifolia, and Urtica dioica have been used as anabolic supplements, despite the limited scientific data on these effects. To assess their actions on early sarcopenia signs, male and female castrated mice were supplemented with lyophilized extracts of the three plants, isolated or in association (named TLU), and submitted to resistance exercise. Ovariectomy (OVX) led to body weight increase and non-high-density cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol elevation, which had been restored by exercise plus U. dioica extract, or by exercise and TLU, respectively. Orchiectomy (ORX) caused skeletal muscle weight loss, accompanied by increased adiposity, being the latter parameter reduced by exercise plus E. longifolia or U. dioica extracts. General physical activity was improved by exercise plus herbal extracts in either OVX or ORX animals. Exercise combined with TLU improved resistance to fatigue in OVX animals, though A. turkestanica enhanced the grip strength in ORX mice. E. longifolia or TLU also reduced the ladder climbing time in ORX mice. Resistance exercise plus herbal extracts partly altered gastrocnemius fiber size frequencies in OVX or ORX mice. We provide novel data that tested ergogenic extracts, when combined with resistance exercise, improved early sarcopenia alterations in castrated male and female mice.

Background Degenerative kidney diseases are mostly associated with oxidative stress. Natural products are considered as the antioxidants enrich food that can restrict the progress of oxidative stress induced disorders. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the renal protective effect of Ajuga parviflora leaf extract in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats. Methods The hydromethanolic extract of A. parviflora leaves was obtained by extracting twice in 60% methanol. The principal bioactive constituents were detected by LC/MS analysis. Toxicity of plant extract was assessed using brine shrimp lethal toxicity test and acute toxicity model on healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats. Nephroprotective effects of plant extract were also evaluated on rats by inducing CCl4 renal toxicity in comparison with positive control and naïve groups. The dose of A. parviflora administered to animal was 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. All administrations were given orally on an alternate day basis for 30 days. Urine and serum biomarkers were analyzed, along with antioxidant enzymes. Finally, the DNA damages, lipid peroxides, hydrogen peroxides and nitrites were assessed in rat’s renal tissue. The histopathology alterations in renal tissues were further studied for kidney damages. Results The LC/MS analysis confirmed the presence of different important pharmacological compounds in A. parviflora methanolic leaf extract. The key bioactive compounds include pyocyanin, zonisamide, D Saccharic acid, altretamine, carbocyclic thromboxane A2, Sinapyl alcohol, and vitamin C. The important polypeptides identified include Lys-Tyr-Lys, His-His-Lys, Met-Asp-Arg, Phe-Val-Arg, and PyroGlu-Val-Arg. The LD50 of A. parviflora was found to be > 1000 μg/mL. A. parviflora administration significantly subsides CCl4 toxicity in rats, reduced the elevated level of RBCs, pus and epithelial cells. The abnormal elevated level of specific gravity, creatinine, urobilinogen, urea and albumin were also reduced to normal physiological level. The reduced urinary protein and pH were also normalized. The serum urobilinogen, urea and total bilirubin levels were also reversed to normal levels while the diminished albumin and total protein levels also came to normal. The important phase I and II enzyme levels were also reversed in A. parviflora administered rats. The H2O2, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and nitrite levels were significantly decreased. Furthermore, the damaged DNA and histopathological changes in CCl4 exposed rats were also highly significantly reversed after the administration of A. parviflora. All effects were significant (P

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by a persistent rise in the blood glucose level resulting from defects in cellular insulin function, secretion, or both, which affects millions of people every year. Several drawbacks have been stated with the use of marketed antidiabetic medicines such as drug resistance, adverse effects, toxicities, and even costs. Due to these several limitations, searching for novel antidiabetic medicines from medicinal plants (MPs) is becoming an active area of research. Therefore, MPs are exemplary sources of medicines with many accessible agents being obtained from them because numerous active constituents are isolated from them for direct use as pharmacological medicines or act as lead compounds. This paper was aimed to synthesize a concluding remark using in vitro and in vivo evaluations of extracts and fractions for antidiabetic potentials in Ethiopia, which can be used to direct future clinical trials and related investigations. Method. So as to get data on the different investigations, publications related to experimental evaluations on animal diabetic models in Ethiopia were searched from databases, such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus using English key terms. Results. In this paper, about 37 research findings based on data from various areas of Ethiopia published until the end of November 2020 were included. A total of 37 MP species extracts and fractions belonging to 19 families have been revealed in vitro or in vivo for potential antidiabetic activities. Crude extracts were carried out mostly by hydromethanolic whereas fractions were done mostly by chloroform. Leaves were the most commonly experimentally investigated plant part. Among the MP species experimentally studied, the most frequently used to treat DM in Ethiopia were Thymus schimperi Ronniger (Lamiaceae), Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.; Moringaceae), Ajuga remota Benth (Lamiaceae), and Datura stramonium Linn. (Solanaceae). Conclusion. This paper gives aggregate evidences on the potential antidiabetic activities of MPs in Ethiopia. Antidiabetic MPs used in Ethiopia represent crucial input for the future development of novel antidiabetic drugs. To this end, more pharmacological and toxicological investigations need to be considered to prove the safety of constituents obtained from these MPs. Finally, we recommend upcoming research to ensure future success in the clinical study and development of novel medicines for DM treatment from these frequently evaluated MPs.

Pharmacophagy involves the sequestration of specialised plant metabolites for non-nutritive purposes and commonly occurs in insects. Here we investigate pharmacophagy in the turnip sawfly, Athalia rosae, where adults not only collect specialised metabolites (clerodanoids) from a plant (Ajuga reptans), but also from the exterior of conspecifics via fighting. Using behavioural assays, chemical analytics, and RNAseq we show that when individuals nibble on conspecifics that have already acquired clerodanoids from A. reptans leaves, this nibbling results in the transfer of compounds between individuals. Furthermore, unlike other pharmacophagous insects, the acquisition of clerodanoids by A. rosae from the leaves of A. reptans does not induce the upregulation of known detoxification or sequestration genes and pathways. In contrast, pharmacophagous nibbling on conspecifics results in the upregulation of metabolic pathways associated with elevated metabolic rates and increased energy consumption. It therefore seems that individuals attack conspecifics to acquire clerodanoids despite the apparent metabolic costs of this form of pharmacophagy compared to clerodanoid uptake from a plant. Changes in the metabolic phenotype of A.rosae individuals consequently has profound consequences for social interactions with possible ramifications for their social niche.Summary statementThe turnip sawfly (Athalia rosae) gains potentially beneficial compounds from the leaf surface of non-food plants (e.g. Ajuga reptans), but can also steal these compounds from conspecifics via aggressive nibbling.

Introduction Panama’s HIV epidemic is far from under control. One of the populations with the fastest-growing epidemic among the Indigenous peoples of the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé (CNB). The CNB is an administratively autonomous Indigenous region in Western Panama that is home to over 200,000 individuals of Ngäbe and Buglé ethnicities. This population is unique and, in several ways, represents the early stages of the AIDS epidemics in high-income countries. The CNB is the most impoverished region in Panama and is relatively isolated from outside influences, with limited roads, electricity, and an internet connection, including medical assistance. Around 1.5% of all rapid HIV tests are positive, compared to a national prevalence of 0.9%; in CNB, diagnosis tends to be late. In CNB, 56.3% of individuals had an initial CD4 count of Methods We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with PLHIV who reside across all three regions of the CNB and have attended an antiretroviral (ART) clinic at least once. Deductive thematic analysis was used to uncover themes related ART adherence and retention in HIV care at the individual, social and structural levels. Discussion This unique, isolated population of rural Indigenous peoples has high infection rates, late diagnosis, poor ART adherence, and high AIDS-related death rates. The CNB is an important region to examen ART adherence and retention in care. We determined that psychological health, social support, and discrimination acted as individual-level facilitators and barriers to adherence and retention. Notably, structural barriers included difficult access to ART care due to travel costs, ART shortages, and uncooperative Western/Traditional medical systems. Recommended interventions used in other Low- and Middle-Income settings include increasing peer and family-level support and community knowledge and understanding of HIV infection. Additionally, our study suggests structural interventions, including decreasing the cost and distance of traveling to the ART clinic, by decentralizing services, decreasing food scarcity, and increasing collaboration between Western and Traditional providers.

Control of the crop pest African cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval), by chemical insecticides has led to serious resistance problems. Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids (arthropod steroid hormone analogs regulating metamorphosis) and clerodanes (diterpenoids exhibiting antifeedant activity). We analyzed these compounds in leaf extracts of the Israeli Ajuga iva L. by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and their efficiency at reducing S.littoralis fitness. First and third instars of S. littoralis were fed castor bean leaves (Ricinus communis) smeared with an aqueous suspension of dried methanolic crude extract of A. iva phytoecdysteroids and clerodanes. Mortality, larval weight gain, relative growth rate and survival were compared to feeding on control leaves. We used &lsquo, 4&rsquo, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, a fluorescent stain) and phalloidin staining to localize A. iva crude leaf extract activity in the insect gut. Ajuga iva crude leaf extract (50, 100 and 250 &micro, g/&micro, L) significantly increased mortality of first-instar S. littoralis (36%, 70%, and 87%, respectively) compared to controls (6%). Third-instar larval weight gain decreased significantly (by 52%, 44% and 30%, respectively), as did relative growth rate (&minus, 0.05 g/g per day compared to the relevant controls), ultimately resulting in few survivors. Crude leaf extract (250 &micro, L) reduced gut size, with relocation of nuclei and abnormal actin-filament organization. Ajug iva extract has potential for alternative, environmentally safe insect-pest control.

The African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis, a major crop pest worldwide, is controlled by chemical insecticides, leading to serious resistance problems. Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids (analogs of arthropod steroid hormones that regulate metamorphoses) and clerodanes (diterpenoids exhibiting antifeedant activity). We analyzed phytoecdysteroids and clerodanes in leaf extracts of the Israeli Ajuga iva by LC-TOF-MS and TLC, and their efficiency at reducing S. littoralis fitness. Castor bean leaves were smeared with an aqueous suspension of dried methanolic crude extract of phytoecdysteroid and clerodanes from A. iva leaves (50, 100 and 250 µg/µl). First and third instars of S. littoralis larvae were fed with 1 treated leaf for 3 and 4 days, respectively. Mortality, larval weight gain, relative growth rate and survival were compared to feeding on control leaves. To evaluate and localize A. iva crude leaf extract activity in the insect gut, we used DAPI and phalloidin staining. Crude extract of A. iva leaves (50, 100 and 250 µg/µl) significantly increased mortality of first instar S. littoralis larvae (36%, 70% and 87%, respectively) compared to controls (6%). Third instar larval weight gain decreased significantly (by 52%, 44% and 30%, respectively), as did relative growth rate (–0.05 g/g day, compared to the relevant controls). S. littoralis larvae were further affected at later stages, with few survivors. Insect-gut staining showed that 250 µg/µl crude leaf extract reduces gut size, with relocation of nuclei and abnormal actin-filament organization. Our results demonstrate the potential of A. iva extract for alternative, environmentally safe insect-pest control. Key Message Insects cause severe damage to numerous crops and their control relies on pesticides. Green control is becoming increasingly popular due to concerns about the negative impacts of pesticides on the environment. Phytoecdysteroids are found in Ajuga plants and affect a wide range of insects at very low concentrations. Here we demonstrate that crude extract from Ajuga iva alters the development of Spodoptera littoralis. Phytoecdysteroids may therefore be beneficial in IPM programs.

Background. In gynodioecious species, populations of two types of individuals are found – bisexual and female. The morphological and biological characteristics of these two morphs are different. A. reptans is an example of a gynodioecious species. However, information about the flowering biology of both its sexual forms is extremely fragmented. The aim of our research is to study the flowering of A. reptans’ bisexual and female morphs in the Moscow region. Materials and methods. Anthecological observations were made in natural conditions in the Moscow region from 2015 to 2019 according to generally accepted methods. Results. The floral unit of A. reptans is the apical open bracteose thyrsus, which has constituent elements of 3 or 5 flower cymoids. In lateral dichasium, the flower opens acropetally; in the thyrsus, flowers on the axis bloom almost simultaneously. Bisexual flowers of A. reptans are characterized by a weak protandry. Bisexual and pistillate flowers have a long lifespan, surviving for 12–13 days without pollination. A. reptans is characterized by a daily flowering rhythm, with two maximums at 9 a.m and 12 a.m. Bisexual and pistillate flowers open simultaneously. Conclusions. A number of anthecological characters of A. reptans demonstrate that it flowers in spring: the lack of a clear acropetal sequence in the order of flowers blooming in a thyrsus, the long lifespan of both bisexual and pistillate flowers, the opening of flowers during almost all daylight hours, and a fairly short flowering period, due to the need for development in a strictly defined period of vegetation.

Herbal plants have been a source of food for human beings for many years; they have also frequently been used as an alternative to modern medicine. Because synthetic drugs have possible side effects and are often considerably expensive, understanding how various plants are used for the treatment of specific ailments has become increasingly important. Plant extracts contain multiple active constituents and this has led to the production of new drugs and chemicals derived from the various parts of plants. In Anatolian folk medicine, Ajuga L. (Lamiaceae) species are used by people in many villages and towns for the therapeutic value of their bioactive components. This study was thus designed to examine the possible bioactive components of Ajuga bombycina Boiss. (an endemic species) and Ajuga chamaepitys subsp. laevigata (Banks & Sol.) P.H.Davis. In the study the bioactive components of the GC-MS analysis of dried leaves and flower samples were screened using an Agilent 7890B GC- 5977MSD model with hexane as solvent. Phytochemicals which have a wide range of biological applications and high therapeutic value were found in the samples.

Owing to its traditional applications, the current study focuses on Ajuga parviflora (A. parviflora) leaves extract for phytochemical and pharmacological analysis. The principle constituents were identified through gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), these includes phthalic acid, squalene, α-tocopherol, vitamin E, phytol, 2-methylenecholestan-3-ol, stigmasterol, cholest-22-ene-21-ol and 3,5-dehydro-6-methoxy. Hepatoprotective effect of A. parviflora was evaluated through isoniazid and rifampicin (INH and RFP) induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Animals in group A were treated with INH and RFP 50 mg/kg. Animals in group B, C, and D were pre-treated with A. parviflora extract at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg dose prior drug administration. A. parviflora extract at 200 and 300 mg/kg in group C and D significantly reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin (p0.001) as compare to group B (100mg/kg). Total protein (TP) was also significantly (p0.01) reduced in group C and D at dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The extract pre-treated animals with (A. parviflora, 200, and 300 mg/kg) showed that the epithelium of the central portal vein is intact with replete glucagon. The pre-treatment with A. parviflora protected the liver from INH and RFP induced hepatotoxicity. The results of pre-treated animals with A. parviflora 200, and 300 mg/kg dose prettily revert the severely disturb parameters like, cytolysis, lymphocytic infiltration, and lymphoid aggregate in portal vein and hydropic degeneration. The decrease peroxisome proliferator-receptor activator-δ (PPAR-δ) gene expression by INH, and RFP was significantly up regulated by A. parviflora extract in pre-treated animals at 200 and 300 mg/kg dose. These findings provide baseline pharmacological uses of A. parviflora in liver disorders. Further investigations are required for identification and isolation of biologically active components responsible for pharmacological activity.

International audience; Ajuga integrifolia Buch. Ham. ex D.Don is pharmacologically important plant, commonly known as Kori Booti. Phytochemicals of this plant are used to treat variety of illnesses, ranging from mild tooth ache to malaria and inflammatory diseases. In present study, exogenous role of plant signaling molecules such as salicylic acid (SA) and gibberellic acid (GA) were investigated for enhanced phytochemistry and biological activities in multiple shoot culture of A. integrifolia. Shoots were exposed to various concentrations of SA and GA, and data was collected after 21 days. Significant increase in biomass (dry weight (DW): 17.9 g/L) was observed in response to GA (5.0 mg/L) as compared with SA and control. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to quantify eleven major secondary compounds. Results indicated that salicylic acid promoted phytochemical production in shoot cultures whereas gibberellic acid down regulated their biosynthesis. Salicylic acid (150 μM) was found optimum for maximum accumulation of majority of compounds, while rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid levels were higher in response to SA (75 μM) and SA (300 μM), respectively. In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were significantly increased under SA (150 μM) treatment suggesting a direct correlation in phytochemical biosynthesis and their respective biological activities.

Traditional healers and the community have used the roots of Ajuga integrifolia for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is not scientifically validated for its antidiabetic activity previously. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity of Ajuga integrifolia. Ajuga integrifolia roots’ crude extract and solvent fractions were prepared. The doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of crude root extract and solvent fractions were used on normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models to determine their hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities. The crude extract and solvent fractions’ effect on bodyweight was also evaluated on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. A standard drug in all cases was glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), and the blood glucose level was measured by using a glucose meter. Data analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. One-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison test was used to analyze the data. p value p < 0.05 ) bodyweight improvement at the 14th day of treatment compared to the respective baseline bodyweight, and the diabetic control group showed significant ( p < 0.01 ) reduction in bodyweight at the 14th day compared to the baseline. This study revealed that crude extract and solvent fractions of Ajuga integrifolia root possess significant antidiabetic activity which supports its traditional use for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Oxidative stress was associated with several diseases. Many epidemiologic studies showed that antioxidant supplementation decreases the state of oxidative stress. The present work aims to study the in vitro antioxidant activity of different parts of Ajuga iva aqueous extract (AIE) simultaneously with a phytochemically analyze. The antioxidant activities of AIE were evaluated in terms of total antioxidant capacity evaluated by the phosphomolybdenum essay and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical method, as well as the ferric ion reducing power (FRP) and ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assays. All extracts showed a potent antioxidant activity and a powerful scavenging capacity in comparison with the ascorbic acid (AA) used as reference molecule. Importantly, Ajuga iva leaves exhibited the highest activity in comparison with stems and roots.

Hepatitis C is a serious health issue and cause liver disorders in millions of people. Available therapeutic agents require long term administration with numerous side effects. Therefore, there is a dire need to find alternative treatment options for this disease. Since ancient times, medicinal plants are widely used to cure various diseases with no or less harmful effects. Therefore, this study was designed to find out phytochemicals and investigate antiviral activity of methanol extract of Ajuga bracteosa, Ajuga parviflora, Berberis lycium and Citrus lemon against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV infection). Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract was performed using various chemical tests. Toxicity of the plant extract was determined against using trypan blue exclusion method. Antiviral activity of the selected plant extract was find out against HCV infected HepG2 cells. For this purpose, HepG2 cells were seeded with HCV positive and negative serum and nontoxic doses of plant extract for 24 and 48 h. After this RNA was extracted and viral load was determined using Real-time PCR. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids and phenols in all plant extracts while amino acids, alkaloids and tannins were present in B. lycium and saponins were detected in C. lemon. Toxicity assay showed that all plant extracts were nontoxic at maximum concentration of 200 μg/ml except B. lycium, which showed mild toxicity at 40 μg/ml and were extremely toxic at 60 μg/ml and above doses. Real-time PCR quantitation result revealed that after 24 h treatments A. parviflora showed highest antiviral activity, followed by A. bracteosa, while B. lycium extract had low (35%) and C. lemon has no antiviral effects. The 48 h treatments showed an increase antiviral activity by A. bracteosa followed by A. parviflora and B. lycium while C. lemon showed negative effect. Our results depicted that mentioned plants might be used as an alternative therapeutic regime or in combination with existing treatments against HCV., Highlights • A. bracteosa, A. parviflora, B. lycium and C. lemon methanol extract were checked for antiviral activity against HCV. • The antiviral activity was in the order of A. parviflora > A. bracteosa > B. lycium. • C. lemon has a negative effect and increase the HCV load.

Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death, and inhibition of ferroptosis is a promising strategy to treat neurological diseases. In this work, sixteen compounds were isolated from Ajuga nipponensis and assayed for anti-ferroptosis activity in HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells. Ajudecunoid C (1, ADC), a new neoclerodane diterpenoid, showed significant inhibitory activity against erastin and RSL3-induced ferroptosis with EC50 values of 4.1 ± 1.0 and 3.6 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. Experimental results demonstrated that ADC effectively prevented ferroptosis through scavenging free radical and activating NRF2-antioxidant response elements (AREs) pathway. This study reveals that ADC, as a new ferroptosis inhibitor, is a promising lead compound for the development of drugs against ferroptosis-related neurological diseases.