Ajuga turkestanica

Ajuga turkestanica is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Central Asia. It was first described in 1894.[1]

Ajuga turkestanica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ajuga
Species:
A. turkestanica
Binomial name
Ajuga turkestanica
Synonyms[1]
  • Rosenbachia turkestanica Regel

Description

A. turkestanica is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching heights between 40 and 60 cm.[2] The plant is typically found in populations between 10 and 300, and appear more frequent within Artemisia complexes. The leaves are an elliptical oblong shape, straight-edged and with a pointed tip. It will flower between May and June. The flowers are small, pink, and located within the axil of two leaves. The fruit consists of four nuts, a characteristic of the Lamiaceae family. Fruit is born by the end of May.

Distribution

A. turkestanica is native to the Pamir-Alay mountain ranges of Central Asia, notably within the Surxondaryo Region of Uzbekistan. The species has also been observed within the low mountain regions of southern Tajikistan. It grows in rocky clay conditions up to elevations of approximately 2500 metres.

Uses

A. turkestanica, alongside many other Ajuga species, is claimed to have medicinal effects.[3][4][5][6] The species has traditionally been used by local charmers (herbalists), who prescribe the herb as a tonic. Today, many bodybuilding supplements containing extracts of A. turkestanica can be found on the Internet.[2] A. turkestanica contains ecdysteroid derivatives such as turkesterone, though whether these produce anabolic effects in mammals is unclear and research has shown inconsistent results.[7][8][9][10]

References
  1. "Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq". The Plant List. 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. "Ajuga Turkestanica". dermatology.mhmedical.com. 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  3. "Bugle, Common". botanical.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  4. "Medicinal Weed: Ajuga, aka Bugleweed". newlifeonahomestead.com. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  5. Howard M (1987). Traditional Folk Remedies. Century. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7126-1731-4.
  6. Luan F, Han K, Li M, Zhang T, Liu D, Yu L, Lv H (2019). "Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Species from the Genus Ajuga L.: A Systematic Review". The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 47 (5): 959–1003. doi:10.1142/S0192415X19500502. PMID 31416340. S2CID 201019535.
  7. Arthur ST, Zwetsloot KA, Lawrence MM, Nieman DC, Lila MA, Grace MH, et al. (2014). "Ajuga turkestanica increases Notch and Wnt signaling in aged skeletal muscle". European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 18 (17): 2584–2592. PMID 25268108.
  8. Guibout L, Mamadalieva N, Balducci C, Girault JP, Lafont R (2015). "The minor ecdysteroids from Ajuga turkestanica" (PDF). Phytochemical Analysis. 26 (5): 293–300. doi:10.1002/pca.2563. PMID 25953625.
  9. Lawrence MM, Zwetsloot KA, Arthur ST, Sherman CA, Huot JR, Badmaev V, et al. (January 2021). "Phytoecdysteroids Do Not Have Anabolic Effects in Skeletal Muscle in Sedentary Aging Mice". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (2): 370. doi:10.3390/ijerph18020370. PMC 7825148. PMID 33418916.
  10. Martins JP, Silva LC, Nunes MS, Rübensam G, Oliveira JR, Silva RB, Campos MM (April 2021). "Combined Effects of Exercise and Phytoanabolic Extracts in Castrated Male and Female Mice". Nutrients. 13 (4): 1177. doi:10.3390/nu13041177. PMC 8066446. PMID 33918334.
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