ABSTRACT
The genus Ajuga L. belongs to the family Lamiaceae and is one of the highly medicinal group of plants represented by 64 species distributed worldwide. Several species of this genus have traditional importance and are used for the treatment of different types of fevers, dysentery, malaria, hypertension, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. In this chapter, we have tried to summarize and provide traditional applications, biology and phytochemistry 2of common medicinal Ajuga’s growing in Asia and adjoining areas. Fifty six neo-clerodanediterpenoids have been reported from different plant parts of Ajuga species, and therefore, neo-clerodanediterpenoids considered as a major class of compounds found in most of the Ajuga species. The analgesic, antiarthritic, antimicrobial, antiestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antileukemic, antimalarial, antioxidant, antipyretic, cardiovascular, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, and vasorelaxation activities have been reported from different extracts of the plant parts of Ajuga based on its biological compounds. These data will provide baseline information for future research on Ajuga species for value addition and product development.
