Plants from Genus Dracocephalum in Iran: Pharmacology and Phytochemistry Overview

Abstract

Background: Genus Dracocephalum belongs to the Lamiaceae family, representing 11 species in Iran, containing D. ghahremanii Jamzad, D. lindbergii Rech. F, D. oligadenium Bornm. & Gauba, D. kotschyi Boiss., D.multicaule, D.Aucheri, D.Subcapitatum, D.Thymifolium, D.Moldavica, D. polychaetum Borm, and D. surmandinum Rech.f. The current study aimed to investigate the morphological and phytochemical properties of Dracocephalum species in Iran and their pharmacological effects.

Methods: The search was restricted to scientific articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SpringerLink, and Scopus. The search was limited to scientific journals, books, and book chapters focusing on the medicinal properties of Dracocephalum in Iran for the era from 1993 to 2020.

Results: Findings show that Dracocephalum species were utilized to treat various disorders in traditional medicine. Phytochemical studies show that the main constituents isolated from the plant consist of lignans, phytosterol, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, Sesquiterpenes, and oxygenated and hydro carbonated monoterpenes. These main components are responsible for antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and cardiovascular effects of the plant.

Conclusion: This plant has a good potential for drug discovery and curing different diseases. Therefore, more research will be done on the Iranian species of Dracocephalum based on clinical and animal studies to develop an effective drug formulation.

Keywords: Dracocephalum; Iranian Dracocephalum species; Lamiaceae family; drug discovery; pharmacology; phytochemistry; traditional medicine.