Ajuga reptans dry extract: properties, uses, pros, cons, safety
Description
Ajuga reptans dry extract is obtained from the perennial herb Ajuga reptans, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The dry extract represents a concentrated and stable form of the plant’s bioactive constituents, including phenolic compounds, iridoids, and flavonoids. Due to its phytochemical profile, it is used as a functional ingredient in cosmetic formulations, dietary supplements, and selected technical applications, where botanical actives are required in a standardized form.
Botanical identification
| Category | Data |
|---|
| Common name | bugleweed, common bugle |
| Botanical name | Ajuga reptans L. |
| Botanical family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant part used | aerial parts (leaves and stems) |
| Ingredient form | dry extract |
Description of the dry extract
| Item | Description |
|---|
| Appearance | fine powder |
| Color | light brown to brown |
| Odor | characteristic, herbal |
| Solubility | partially soluble in water; soluble in hydroalcoholic solvents |
| Extraction ratio | variable (typically 5:1 – 10:1, depending on manufacturer) |
| Carrier | may contain maltodextrins or other plant-derived carriers |
Key constituents
| Compound class | Description |
|---|
| Iridoids | including aucubin and related compounds, characteristic of the Ajuga genus |
| Flavonoids | apigenin, luteolin, and derivatives |
| Polyphenols | associated with antioxidant activity |
| Tannins | responsible for astringent properties |
| Phytosterols | present in trace amounts |
Indicative nutritional values per 100 g of dry extract
Average estimated values. The dry extract is not used as a food ingredient but as a functional component. Typical usage levels range from tens to hundreds of milligrams.
| Component | Indicative value |
|---|
| Energy | ~ 250–300 kcal |
| Total carbohydrates | ~ 50–60 g |
| — of which sugars | ~ 10–15 g |
| Dietary fiber | ~ 20–25 g |
| Proteins | ~ 8–12 g |
| Total lipids | ~ 2–4 g |
| — saturated fatty acids (SFA – Saturated Fatty Acids) | < 1 g |
| — monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA – MonoUnsaturated Fatty Acids) | < 1 g |
| — polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA – PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acids) | < 1 g |
| Ash | ~ 8–12 g |
Nutritional profile note
From a nutritional perspective, dry extract of Ajuga reptans is not intended to provide energy or macronutrient intake.
Its relevance is functional, linked to the concentration of bioactive compounds (iridoids, flavonoids, and tannins) compared with the fresh plant.
Medical applications (traditional and scientific interest)
| Area | Application |
|---|
| Traditional herbal medicine | Used as a supportive ingredient for respiratory tract well-being |
| Anti-inflammatory activity | Interest in iridoids and polyphenols for inflammation modulation |
| Astringent activity | Tannin content traditionally used to help control secretions |
| Traditional wound care | Topical use in herbal preparations to support skin repair |
| Digestive support | Traditional use in concentrated decoctions |
Note: medical applications are traditional or experimental and do not replace pharmacological treatments.
Cosmetic applications
| Cosmetic area | Function |
|---|
| Skin care | Extract used for soothing, astringent, and balancing properties |
| Oily and sensitive skin products | Support for skin normalization |
| Scalp care | Included in balancing scalp formulations |
| Natural cosmetics | Functional ingredient in phytocosmetic lines |
Main INCI functions:
Skin conditioning
Soothing
Astringent
Protecting
Industrial applications
| Sector | Application |
|---|
| Herbal industry | Production of supplements and botanical preparations |
| Natural cosmetics | Standardizable botanical raw material |
| Phytochemical research | Study of iridoids and polyphenols |
| Nutraceutical sector | Interest as a plant-derived functional ingredient |
Safety and usage considerations
| Aspect | Guidance |
|---|
| General use | generally well tolerated at traditional usage levels |
| Warnings | avoid use in case of hypersensitivity to Lamiaceae plants |
| Quality requirements | ensure purity standards and absence of contaminants |
| Regulatory status | use depends on intended application (cosmetics, supplements, research) |
INCI name / Technical name:
CAS number:
90082-42-1
EC number:
290-256-5
Formula
Not uniquely definable.
The dry extract is a complex mixture of plant-derived secondary metabolites, mainly including:
iridoids
flavonoids
phenylpropanoids
tannins
Name breakdown and function of the components
Ajuga: botanical genus of the source plant
reptans: botanical species, identifying the creeping habit of the plant
Dry extract: concentrated form obtained by removing the extraction solvent, providing improved stability, ease of handling, and consistent dosing
The phytochemical components contribute to the functional, protective, and antioxidant-related properties of the extract.
Description of the production process and raw materials used
The production process typically includes:
Harvesting and selection of the aerial parts of Ajuga reptans
Controlled drying to preserve active constituents
Extraction using suitable solvents (water, ethanol, or hydroalcoholic mixtures)
Filtration and concentration of the liquid extract
Final drying (spray drying or vacuum drying) to obtain a free-flowing powder
Main raw materials:
Ajuga reptans dried plant material
Extraction solvents (water, ethanol)
Optional technological carriers used during drying
Appearance, color, odor, and solubility
Appearance: fine powder
Color: light brown to dark brown
Odor: characteristic, herbal
Solubility: partially soluble in water; soluble in hydroalcoholic mixtures
Environmental impact
Ajuga reptans dry extract is considered to have a low environmental impact, as it is derived from a renewable botanical source. When produced using responsible agricultural practices and controlled extraction processes, it does not pose significant environmental hazards. The extract is not classified as environmentally dangerous; however, compliance with good manufacturing practices and appropriate waste management remains essential to minimize environmental footprint.
Studies
Ajuga reptans has been studied in the medical field for about fifteen years, mostly on guinea pigs, and scientific publications are not numerous.
We start from 1992 with an Italian study which found vasoconstrictor characteristics (1), then a 1996 study which discovered four anthocyanins (flavonoid family) in flowers (2) confirmed by a subsequent work by the same authors in 2001 (3), then a 2004 study finding out the effectiveness of Ajuga against mosquito-like insects (4) and another 2009 publication on the discovery of new steroids from the seedling (5). For those who would like to delve deeper, I suggest these two recent studies (6).
References__________________________________________________________________________
(1) Breschi, M. C., Martinotti, E., Catalano, S., Flamini, G., Morelli, I., & Pagni, A. M. (1992). Vasoconstrictor activity of 8-O-acetylharpagide from Ajuga reptans. Journal of natural products, 55(8), 1145-1148.
Abstract. The traditional therapeutic indications for the use of Ajuga reptans (Labiatae) have been investigated. The H20-soluble part of a crude and partially purified MeOH extract and two isolated iridoids (8-Q-acetylharpagide and harpagide), were tested for a biological activity on isolated smooth muscle preparations from guinea pig.
(2) Terahara N, Callebaut A, Ohba R, Nagata T, Ohnishi-Kameyama M, Suzuki M. Triacylated anthocyanins from Ajuga reptans flowers and cell cultures. Phytochemistry. 1996 May;42(1):199-203. doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(95)00838-1.
Abstract. Four anthocyanins were isolated from Ajuga reptans flowers and one from the cell cultures. By FAB mass spectrometry measurements, the structures of these pigments were determined as delphinidin and cyanidin glucosides acylated with two cinnamic acids, while three of them were also malonylated. A delphinidin-based pigment in the crude extract from cell cultures was identical to the major flower pigment as shown by HPLC co-chromatography. Moreover, by application of 1H and 13C NMR consisting of DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, 2D-HOHAHA, HSQC and HMBC methods, the structures of two new anthocyanins were identified as delphinidin and cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-(6-O-(E)-p-coumaryl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(6-O-(E)-p- coumaryl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-5-O-(6-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside ). The deacylated anthocyanins were confirmed as delphinidin and cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucosides.
(3) Terahara N, Callebaut A, Ohba R, Nagata T, Ohnishi-Kameyama M, Suzuki M. Acylated anthocyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucosides from Ajuga reptans flowers and the corresponding cell cultures. Phytochemistry. 2001 Oct;58(3):493-500. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(01)00172-8.
Abstract. Four anthocyanins from Ajuga reptans flowers and its cell cultures were isolated, and a fifth was also characterized by HPLC-mass spectrometry. By means of chemical and spectroscopic analyses, their structures were identified as delphinidin 3-(p-coumaroyl-feruloyl)sophoroside-5-malonylglucoside, delphinidin 3-(diferuloyl)sophoroside-5-malonylglucoside, and cyanidin 3-(di-p-coumaroyl)sophoroside-5-glucoside, respectively. The other two were tentatively identified as delphinidin 3-(diferuloyl)sophoroside-5-glucoside and cyanidin 3-(feruloyl-p-coumaroyl)sophoroside-5-malonylglucoside. In neutral aqueous solution, the crude extract from A. reptans flower cell cultures and the major anthocyanin cyanidin 3-(di-p-coumaroyl)sophoroside-5-malonylglucoside were more stable than cyanidin 3-glucoside, and also prevented more efficiently peroxidation than did the latter. A. reptans flower cell culture anthocyanins may have a potential as natural colorants for food utilities or other purposes.
(4) Fekete G, Polgár lL, Báthori M, Col J, Darvas B. Per os efficacy of Ajuga extracts against sucking insects. Pest Manag Sci. 2004 Nov;60(11):1099-104. doi: 10.1002/ps.928. PMID: 15532684.
(5) Ványolós A, Simon A, Tóth G, Polgár L, Kele Z, Ilku A, Mátyus P, Báthori M. C-29 ecdysteroids from Ajuga reptans var. reptans. J Nat Prod. 2009 May 22;72(5):929-32. doi: 10.1021/np800708g.
Abstract. Investigation of the ecdysteroid constituents of the herb Ajuga reptans var. reptans resulted in the isolation of three new ecdysteroids, named reptanslactone A (2), reptanslactone B (3), and sendreisterone (5), and the known 24-dehydroprecyasterone (1) and breviflorasterone (4). The structures of compounds 1-5 were determined by spectroscopic methods including one- and two-dimensional NMR measurements.
(6) Fujimoto Y, Maeda I, Ohyama K, Hikiba J, Kataoka H. Biosynthesis of 20-hydroxyecdysone in plants: 3β-hydroxy-5β-cholestan-6-one as an intermediate immediately after cholesterol in Ajuga hairy roots. Phytochemistry. 2015 Mar;111:59-64. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.12.019. Epub 2015 Jan 12. PMID: 25593010.
Findling S, Zanger K, Krueger S, Lohaus G. Subcellular distribution of raffinose oligosaccharides and other metabolites in summer and winter leaves of Ajuga reptans (Lamiaceae). Planta. 2015 Jan;241(1):229-41. doi: 10.1007/s00425-014-2183-2.
Abstract. In Ajuga reptans, raffinose oligosaccharides accumulated during winter. Stachyose, verbascose, and higher RFO oligomers were exclusively found in the vacuole whereas one-fourth of raffinose was localized in the stroma. The evergreen labiate Ajuga reptans L. can grow at low temperature. The carbohydrate metabolism changes during the cold phase, e.g., raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) accumulate. Additionally, A. reptans translocates RFOs in the phloem. In the present study, subcellular concentrations of metabolites were studied in summer and winter leaves of A. reptans to gain further insight into regulatory instances involved in the cold acclimation process and into the function of RFOs. Subcellular metabolite concentrations were determined by non-aqueous fractionation. Volumes of the subcellular compartments of summer and winter leaves were analyzed by morphometric measurements. The metabolite content varied strongly between summer and winter leaves. Soluble metabolites increased up to tenfold during winter whereas the starch content was decreased. In winter leaves, the subcellular distribution showed a shift of carbohydrates from cytoplasm to vacuole and chloroplast. Despite this, the metabolite concentration was higher in all compartments in winter leaves compared to summer leaves because of the much higher total metabolite content in winter leaves. The different oligosaccharides did show different compartmentations. Stachyose, verbascose, and higher RFO oligomers were almost exclusively found in the vacuole whereas one-fourth of raffinose was localized in the stroma. Apparently, the subcellular distribution of the RFOs differs because they fulfill different functions in plant metabolism during winter. Raffinose might function in protecting chloroplast membranes during freezing, whereas higher RFO oligomers may exert protective effects on vacuolar membranes. In addition, the high content of RFOs in winter leaves may also result from reduced consumption of assimilates
Ajuga reptans dry extract 
