Stachys pilifera Benth: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Therapeutic Potential, and Toxicology

Abstract

Background. Stachys L. (Lamiaceae) includes more than 300 annual or perennial species growing in temperate regions of Southern Africa, the Mediterranean, America, and Asia. Stachys pilifera Benth (S. pilifera), also known as Marzeh Kuhi, is an endemic species from Iran. It is found in the mountainous habitats of the Zagros area. It has various traditional uses, and the phytochemical ingredients and some biological activities of this species have been examined in previous studies. Methods. PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Web databases were used to gather the data. The purpose of this review is to consolidate the scattered knowledge reported in the literature about botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and safety of S. pilifera and suggest its potential medicinal properties. Key Findings. In traditional Iranian medicine, S. pilifera manages various illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, common cold, infections, asthma, and tussive. More than 30 compounds have been identified in S. pilifera essential oil. The compounds found in S. pilifera are phenolic compounds, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which have various properties such as antioxidant, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. Conclusions. The literature reveals that S. pilifera is an essential source of bioactive phytochemicals and illustrates the unknown area of this plant for new investigations. Moreover, we recommend that future research focus on toxicology and quality control studies for S. pilifera to fill the knowledge gap and provide theoretical support for the plant’s possible functional and clinical uses.

Stachys pilifera Benth. Ameliorates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats through the Antioxidant Pathways

“…This activity could be attributed to phenolic and flavonoid ingredients in SPHE that produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects [ 15 ]. In this line, our previous studies have reported anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties of SPHE [ 38 ].…”

“…Stachys pilifera is a perennial and fragrant plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family [ 13 ]. In traditional medicine, some Stachys species have been utilized as antinephritis, antidiarrhea, and wound disinfectants [ 14 , 15 ]. Moreover, the antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects of some Stachys species have been confirmed [ 16 ].…”

Chemical and Antioxidant Profile of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Stachys Officinalis L., Stachys Palustris L., Stachys Sylvatica L. from Romania

“…(SC), Stachys byzantina K. Koch (SB), Stachys thirkei K. Koch, antibacterial activity against Gram-positive microorganisms of Stachys byzantina K.Koch, S. officinalis and S. sylvatica, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anticancer properties of Stachys pilifera Benth, antiphlogistic effects of S. alpina, S. germanica, S. officinalis and S. recta antidepressant activity and apoptotic effect of Stachys pilifera Benth. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Antioxidant activities were mentioned for all the above species. Nutritional value was also showed by a number of studies for species such as Stachys affinis Bunge, Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.…”