title: Anti-inflammatory effect of Ajuga bracteosa Wall Ex Benth. mediated through cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ajuga bracteosa Wall Ex Benth. (Labiateae) is described in Ayurveda for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, palsy and amenorrhea.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of present investigation is to study anti-inflammatory activity of Ajuga bracteosa, to understand possible mechanism of action and to identify the constituents responsible for its activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-inflammatory activity of 70% ethanolic extract was evaluated in TPA-induced mouse ear edema assay and in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity was determined using EIA kits employing appropriate reference standards. Aajugarin I, lupulin A, withaferin A, reptoside and 6-deoxyharpagide were isolated from the 70% ethanolic extract by silica gel column chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 70% ethanol extract of whole plants of Ajuga bracteosa showed a significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in an acute inflammation model at the dose of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ear. The extract also exhibited a strong in vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity at 25 and 50 μg/mL concentration. Among the isolated compounds 6-deoxyharpagide exhibited highest COX-2 inhibition while rest of the compounds exhibited weak to moderate COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition at 30 μM concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the 70% ethanol extract of Ajuga bracteosa possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity, which is possibly mediated through inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. The isolated constituents could be responsible in part for its anti-inflammatory and COX inhibitory activity. The study supports traditional use of Ajuga bracteosa for inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: Sanjay M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jachak
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saklani
mesh_terms: D031328:Ajuga / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007194:India; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011714:Pyrans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D054358:Withanolides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004224:Diterpenes; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011714:Pyrans; D054358:Withanolides; C503473:reptoside; C092328:ajugarin I; C009684:withaferin A; C033250:harpagide