LAUSR

Ajuga bracteosa is native to Himalayan region, Afghanistan, China and Malaysia. People of northern areas of Pakistan call it ‘korri booti’ as it has bitter taste. Ajuga bracteosa is ethnically used against malarial fever, diabetes, cancer, and sore throat. The theme of present work was to appraise the biological significance of Ajuga bracteosa through in vitro studies. n-Hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts of root and whole plant materials were obtained via maceration. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical constituents was done. The antioxidant potency was judged by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) free radical scavenging assays. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by agar disc diffusion method. Phytochemical review confirmed the existence of flavonoids, saponins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, xanthoproteins, carbohydrates, and glycosides. Total flavonoid and total phenolic contents were shown as rutin and gallic acid equivalents respectively. Root extracts gave more significant results of DPPH and ABTS potential (100 % and 92 % respectively) as compared to whole plant extracts (90 % and 75 % respectively). A. bracteosa is a plentiful source of polyphenolic compounds. Polyphenolic compounds are thought as natural antioxidants because of their ability of hydrogen atom donation and presence as stable radical intermediates preventing further creation of free radicals in the body. Root extracts showed greater resistance against pathogens as compared to extracts of whole plant material.