In Vitro Characterization of the Efficacy and Safety Profile of a Proprietary Ajuga Turkestanica Extract
Open accessAbstract
Ajuga Turkestanica, an herbaceous flowering species in the mint family, has been traditionally used in Turkeyand Uzbekistan for heart disease, muscle aches and stomach problems. Due to its high levels of phytoecdysteroids (particularly the characteristic C-11-hydroxylated Turkesterone), anabolic properties have also been reported. The aim of our study was to screen for early signs of efficacy and safety of a proprietary Ajuga turkestanica extract (ATE) using in vitro models. C2C12 mouse myotube cell line was used to study potential effects on viability and gene modulation. Cell viability was evaluated with different concentrations [0.2 - 200 ppm (mg/L)] of ATE. Gene modulation was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) after 6h incubation (ATE vs. the androgenic anabolic steroid methandrostenolone). Total androgenic activity was measured using the A-SCREEN bioassay. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed good correlation between the phytochemical profile of the native plant and our ATE. C2C12 mouse myotube cells treated with ATE experienced no significant loss of viability (concentrations 0.2 - 200 ppm, 1 - 24 hs, p > 0.05). qRT-PCR array analysis showed significant (p regulation of Caspase-3 (2-fold) and Myostatin (4-fold). The extract showed no androgenic activity within the dose range used. Our results indicate the potential for an ATE to support muscle mass without typical androgenic side effects of synthetic anabolic drugs.
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Ajuga turkestanica enhances muscle regeneration and maintenance.
“Moreover, A. turkestanica also enhances muscle regeneration and maintenance [29,226].”
From Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition (2024) · cites this paper as [29]
The Discussion reports that Ajuga turkestanica extract downregulated myostatin and caspase-3 in mouse myotubes, which the authors interpret as potential protection against muscle wasting. The paper does not demonstrate enhanced muscle regeneration or maintenance; its conclusion calls for further clinical work. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe myostatin transcript bioassay was developed and standardized in order to assess ecdysteroid activity.
“The myostatin transcript bioassay was developed and standardized in order to assess ecdysteroid activity (31).”
From 20-Hydroxyecdysone activates the protective arm of the renin angiotensin system via Mas receptor (2020) · cites this paper as [31]
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- Authors
- Zubeldia, J. M., Hernández-Santana, A., Jiménez-del-Rio, M., Pérez-López, V., Pérez-Machín, R., & García-Castellano, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Fundación Canaria de Investigación Sanitaria (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (ES)
- Venue
- Chinese Medicine
- Publisher
- Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
- Published
- 2012
- Volume
- 03
- Issue
- 04
- Pages
- 215-222
- ISSN
- 2151-1918 (ISSN-L)
- 2151-1926
- OpenAlex
- W1999886758
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 0.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Chinese Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Keywords
- Ajuga turkestanica, plant extracts, phytoecdysteroids, turkesterone, anabolic activity, C2C12 myotubes, cell viability, gene expression, caspase-3, myostatin, androgenic activity, methandrostenolone, muscle mass, safety profile
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