Medicinal Importance of Ajuga Species in Iran: Ethnobotanical and Traditional Applications, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Studies

Context: Five species of the genus Ajuga (Lamiaceae) having common name "bugle" are found in Iran. In Persian medicine (PM), (Kamaphytus) is used for treating jaundice, joint pain, gout, amenorrhea, sciatica, and wound healing. This study aimed to review ethnobotanical, phytochemical, biological activities that grow Iran determine their therapeutic potentials suggest further studies on healing properties this Evidence Acquisition: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar were comprehensively searched Iran, including "Ajuga austro-iranica," chamaecistus," comata" (Syn.: chia," chamaepitys subsp. Chia"), orientalis," reptans." The search period was from 1966 February 2021. related articles selected according inclusion exclusion criteria current study. Results: Several ethnobotanical pharmacologic reports have verified traditional uses anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, analgesic, anabolic, anti-arthritis, antipyretic, hepatoprotective activities. Numerous phytochemicals been identified involving phytoecdysteroids, neo-clerodane-diterpenes, iridoids, flavonoids, withanolides, phenylethyl glycoside, essential oils. Conclusions: Due beneficial effects genus, it can be considered future clinical a source natural antioxidants, dietary supplements pharmaceutical industry, stabilizing food against oxidative deterioration.