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Review

A Comprehensive Review of the Phenolic Compounds in Dracocephalum Genus (Lamiaceae) Related to Traditional Uses of the Species and Their Biological Activities

by
Izabela Weremczuk-Jeżyna
and
Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak
*
Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2025, 30(9), 2017; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092017
Submission received: 29 March 2025 / Revised: 26 April 2025 / Accepted: 28 April 2025 / Published: 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)

Abstract

The genus Dracocephalum (family Lamiaceae) comprises approximately 70 species, many of which have been traditionally used in various ethnomedical systems. The plants exhibit a broad distribution across steppe, semi-deserts, deserts, and alpine zones of temperate Eurasia, with isolated endemic species occurring in North America and North Africa. The traditional medicinal uses of the Dracocephalum species encompass the treatment of respiratory diseases, colds and fever, gastrointestinal disorders, liver and gallbladder ailments, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gynecological and urological disorders, as well as ailments of the ears, throat, mouth, and eyes, as well as various dermatological conditions. The plants are rich sources of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to their diverse pharmacological activities. The flavonoid profile of the Dracocephalum species is dominated by luteolin and apigenin derivatives, supplemented by mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentamethoxylated flavones. The predominant phenolic acids are chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and their derivatives. Other phenolic compounds have also been identified in the genus: anthocyanins, lignans, phenylethanoids, phenylacetamide glycosides, flavonoid alkaloids, gingerols, coumarins, furanocoumarins, and cyanogenic glucosides. Despite growing scientific interest in this genus, a comprehensive review of its polyphenolic constituents, their structures, and associated biological activities remains lacking. To bridge this gap, this review presents an analysis of the polyphenolic profile of the Dracocephalum species, their ethnomedicinal uses, and the latest findings on their biological potential.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory properties; flavonoids; hydroxyled and methoxylated flavonoids; phenolic acids; Lamiaceae; lignans; traditional Chinese medicine anti-inflammatory properties; flavonoids; hydroxyled and methoxylated flavonoids; phenolic acids; Lamiaceae; lignans; traditional Chinese medicine

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MDPI and ACS Style

Weremczuk-Jeżyna, I.; Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I. A Comprehensive Review of the Phenolic Compounds in Dracocephalum Genus (Lamiaceae) Related to Traditional Uses of the Species and Their Biological Activities. Molecules 2025, 30, 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092017

AMA Style

Weremczuk-Jeżyna I, Grzegorczyk-Karolak I. A Comprehensive Review of the Phenolic Compounds in Dracocephalum Genus (Lamiaceae) Related to Traditional Uses of the Species and Their Biological Activities. Molecules. 2025; 30(9):2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092017

Chicago/Turabian Style

Weremczuk-Jeżyna, Izabela, and Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak. 2025. "A Comprehensive Review of the Phenolic Compounds in Dracocephalum Genus (Lamiaceae) Related to Traditional Uses of the Species and Their Biological Activities" Molecules 30, no. 9: 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092017

APA Style

Weremczuk-Jeżyna, I., & Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of the Phenolic Compounds in Dracocephalum Genus (Lamiaceae) Related to Traditional Uses of the Species and Their Biological Activities. Molecules, 30(9), 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092017

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