Antioxidant Potential, Hypoglycemic Effect and Safety of Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. ssp. tomentella (Boiss.) Rech. f. Aerial Parts

Background and objective: Ajuga species(Lamiaceae) are traditionally used in the treatment of jaundice, joint pain, sciatic nerve, and diabetes in different countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities and safety of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella. Methods: Antioxidant activity, radical scavenging effect, and total phenolics content of the aqueous and methanol extracts were assessed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and Folin-Ciocalteu methods. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice were studied in separate groups comprising aqueous and methanol extracts (200, 400, 800 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg) and a negative control group. Results: The n-butanol fraction showed the most phenolics content (26.5 mg GAE/g of extract) and the highest antioxidant power) 346.7 mmol FeІІ/g of extract) as well as the most considerable radical scavenging activity (IC50=15.34 µg/mL). In STZ-diabetic mice, repeated oral administration of all doses of extracts showed a significant decrease in plasma glucose levels after 3, 14 and 28 days. The results of acute toxicity study showed that the ethanol extract was non-toxic up to the dose of 6000 mg/kg. Based on the sub-chronic toxicity results, a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride was observed after using the extract (1000 mg/kg) for 23rd and 45th days. Histopathology of animal tissues revealed no significant differences in animal tissues between treated and control groups after 23 and 45 days. Conclusion: our study indicated the antioxidant potential, safety and hypoglycemic effect of A. chamaecistus ssp. tomentella extracts

Chemical Constitute and Larvicidal Activity of Fractions of Ajuga chamaecistus tomentella Plant against Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi

Backgrand: The genus Ajuga, belongs to Lamiaceae family, is one of the exclusive subspecies in the flora of Iran. The plants of this genus are used traditionally for treatment of joints pain, gout, jaundice, and as insecticide. Methods: larvicidal activity of methanol 80% extract and partition fractions of hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate obtained from aerial parts of Ajuga chamaecistus subspecies tomentella against malaria vector An. stephensi was evaluated. Phytochemical study of active fraction was analyzed using column chromatography and spectroscopy. Results: According to the results, among different fractions, hexane fraction has the most larvicidal activity with mortality rate of 100% in concentration of 102 ppm and LC50 of 95.66ppm. The structure of compound 1, main phy­toecdysteroid compound separated from hexane fraction, was determined to be ajugalide-E. Conclusion: The results suggested that the hexane fraction of Ajuga chamaecistus subsp tomentella could be used as a natural and biodegradable insecticide

Major phytosteroid from Polygonatum orientale Desf. rhizome

Polygonatum orientale Desf. (Asparagaceae) is herbaceous and perennial plant grown in northern parts of Iran. The rhizomes of Polygonatum, known as Iranian Shaghagho, is used in Iranian traditional medicine as tonic, aphrodisiac, wound healing, lightening, kidney stone remedy, gynecological and internal wounds healing, anti-gout and rheumatism, and anti-diabetic. The aim of this study was to evaluate 2,2 Diphenyl -1- Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, isolation, purification and identification of secondary metabolites from Polygonatum orientale Desf. rhizome collected from north of Iran. The 80% methanol extract from the rhizomes of P. orientale was partitioned between 80% methanol and hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol respectively. The inhibitory concentrations 50% (IC50) for ethyl acetate fraction and BHT were measured from the concentration-inhibition curve and were 315.02 μg/ml and 42.3 μg/ml, respectively. Chloroform fraction was loaded on silica gel chromatography column and eluted with hexane:ethyla cetate (90:10 to 100% ethyl acetate).Two major compounds, 12-Hydroxystigmast 4-en 3-one, a phytosteroid, and methyl oleate, a fatty acid ester, were isolated using TLC plates and identified by spectroscopic methods; H and 13C NMR. These major compounds have been reported for the first time from Polygonatum species. A further phytochemical study to find more compounds from this medicinal plant is recommended