Insect development is driven by the action of ecdysteroids on morphogenetic processes. The classic ecdysteroid receptor is a protein heterodimer composed of two nuclear receptors, the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (USP), the insect ortholog of retinoid X receptor. The functional properties of EcR and USP vary among insect species, and provide a basis for identifying novel and specie...

We studied the efficacy of water-soluble extracts from four Ajuga spp on the post-embryonic development of two exopterygota (sucking insect) species. To allow comparison between different Ajuga species, results are expressed in terms of quantity of plant extracted per litre of test solution. Crude methanolic extracts of all Ajuga plants tested, with the exception of A genevensis, showed conside...

BACKGROUND Ajuga bracteosa has been extensively used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of diseases. The aim of the study was to scientifically validate the wide-scale exploitation of A. bracteosa in folk medicine various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, these activities were related to the intrinsic biologically active phytoecdysteroids of A. bracteosa. METHODS Aerial and roo...