Bugle

Botanical Overview

Bugle (Ajuga remota) is a species in the Lamiaceae family. The mint family (Lamiaceae) includes aromatic herbs and shrubs with square stems, opposite leaves, and two-lipped flowers. Many species produce essential oils in glandular trichomes on their leaves and stems. This family is one of the most important sources of culinary and medicinal herbs worldwide. Although comprehensive ethnobotanical records are limited, phytochemical studies have identified 11 compounds in this species, suggesting potential medicinal value.

Family Context

The Lamiaceae family is large and widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:

  • Basil — 86 documented uses
  • Rosemary — 60 documented uses
  • Agbo — 54 documented uses
  • Sage — 49 documented uses

Active Compounds

Phytochemical research has identified 11 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).

The identified compounds include the following categories:

  • Terpene: aromatic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties

Research Status

Although this species has documented phytochemical constituents, its ethnobotanical and clinical documentation remains incomplete. The limited documentation available for this species represents an opportunity for ethnobotanical research.

ⓘ Information
Information on this page is compiled from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (USDA ARS), a public domain resource. Consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation.

Complete Chemical Inventory

CompoundFormulaMW
AJUGALACTONEC₂₉H₄₀O₈516.6 Da
AJUGARIN B
AJUGARIN VC₂₂H₃₂O₅376.5 Da
AJUGARIN-IC₂₄H₃₄O₇434.5 Da
AJUGARIN-IIC₂₂H₃₂O₆392.5 Da
AJUGARIN-IIIC₂₄H₃₆O₈452.5 Da
AJUGARIN-IVC₂₃H₃₄O₆406.5 Da
AJUGASTERONE-CC₂₇H₄₄O₇480.6 Da
BETA-ECDYSONEC₂₇H₄₄O₇480.6 Da
CYASTERONEC₂₉H₄₄O₈520.7 Da
PONASTERONE-AC₂₇H₄₄O₆464.6 Da

Data from PubChem (NIH/NLM, public domain).


References & Further Reading

External Research Links

Data Sources