BIOACTIVE EXTRACTS FROM CULTIVATED AJUGA GENEVENSIS L. AND A. REPTANS L.: IN VITRO/IN VIVO PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ANDREI FLORIN PĂDURARU 1, OANA CIOANCĂ 1*, CORNELIA MIRCEA 1, ADRIANA TRIFAN 1, ANA CLARA APROTOSOAIE 1, ANCA MIRON 1, ELVIRA GILLE 2, LUCIAN HRITCU 3, MONICA HĂNCIANU 1
1.Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
2.National Institute of R&D for Biological Sciences, “Stejarul” Biological Research Centre, Piatra Neamț, Romania
3.Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași, Romania
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Ajuga genevensis and Ajuga reptans are medicinal plants often used as remedies in the Romanian traditional medicine for
their benefic properties. They are also credited with astringent, tonic and diuretic activities. Although these species are
common for the wild flora in our country, our investigation was conducted on specimens harvested from the experimental
fields of “Stejarul” Biological Research Centre, Piatra Neamț, Romania. Their introduction in culture as a source of bioactive
compounds is intended for pharmaceutical purposes. Their chemical profile was assessed on hydro-alcoholic extracts by
spectrophotometry and RP-UPLC techniques. The in vitro biological effects of the samples were investigated against
lipoxygenase, butyryl- and acetylcholinesterase. For the in vivo biological activities, the extracts (25 and 75 mg/kg bw) were
administered in a 6-hydroxidopamine Parkinsonian rat model. The results confirmed the taxonomic and chemical variability
between the investigated samples. In terms of compound profile, the polyphenols (flavonoid and polyphenolic acids) were in
a higher amount in Ajuga genevensis (168.3 mg % and 230.4 mg % respectively), whereas Ajuga reptans contained higher
quantities of iridoids (1860 mg % as compared to 1250 mg %). Harpagide and its acetylated derivative were the main iridoids
identified in both extracts. The biological activity confirmed the antioxidant and protective properties of both extracts.
Moreover, the anti-amnesic activity was significantly increased for Ajuga reptans as compared to Ajuga genevensis. Such
results confirm a direct correlation between the concentration or iridoids and neuroprotective capacity of the extract obtained
from A. reptans.
