Ajuga turkestanica
| Ajuga turkestanica | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Ajuga |
| Species: | A. turkestanica |
| Binomial name | |
| Ajuga turkestanica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ajuga turkestanica is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Tajikistan.[1] It was first described in 1894.[1]
Description
A. turkestanica is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching heights between 40 and 60 cm.[1] 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 and located within the axil of two leaves. The fruit consists of four nuts, a characteristic of the Lamiaceae family, and emerges by the end of May.
Distribution
A. turkestanica is native to the Pamir-Alay mountain ranges of Central Asia, notably within Tajikistan.[1] It grows in rocky clay conditions up to elevations of approximately 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
Uses
Although A. turkestanica, alongside many other Ajuga species, is claimed to have uses in folk medicine,[2][3] there is no clinical evidence that A. turkestanica compounds have effects as a therapeutic in humans. An extract of A. turkestanica may be used as an ingredient in a topical skin cream.[4]
Extracts of A. turkestanica are marketed on the Internet with the presumption they are useful as bodybuilding supplements.[5] A. turkestanica contains ecdysteroid derivatives, such as turkesterone,[6] although these compounds have no proven anabolic effects on muscle in mammals, and no approval as a drug in any country.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq". Plants of the World Online, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ↑ Howard M (1987). Traditional Folk Remedies. Century. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7126-1731-4.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Defined Organism Substance - Ajuga turkestanica extract". Health Canada, Government of Canada. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- 1 2 Cohen PA, Avula B, Katragunta K, Travis JC, Khan I (July 2023). "Presence and Quantity of Botanical Ingredients With Purported Performance-Enhancing Properties in Sports Supplements". JAMA Network Open. 6 (7): e2323879. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23879. PMC 10352857. PMID 37459101.
- ↑ Guibout L, Mamadalieva N, Balducci C, Girault JP, Lafont R (2015). "The minor ecdysteroids from Ajuga turkestanica" (PDF). Phytochemical Analysis. 26 (5): 293–300. Bibcode:2015PChAn..26..293G. doi:10.1002/pca.2563. PMID 25953625.