Marrubium vulgareL.: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Overview

Abstract

Marrubium vulgareis a plant with high bioactive potential. It contains marrubiin, a labdane diterpene that is characteristic for this genus, as well as a complex mixture of phenolic compounds. According to numerous studies,M. vulgareacts as a good antioxidant agent, and due to this, it could potentially be useful in treatments of cancer, diabetes mellitus, and liver diseases. In addition, its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and sedative potential are discussed. Apart from that, its antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram+ bacteria, fungi, herpes simplex virus, and parasites such asToxoplasma gondii,Trichomonas vaginalis, andPlasmodium berghei-bergheiwas recorded. Additionally, it could be used as a chicken lice repellent, herbicide, and natural insecticide against mosquito larvae and natural molluscicide. In veterinary medicine,M. vulgarecan be used as an anthelmintic against the eggs and larvae of bovine strongyles parasites, and as an antibiotic against bovine mastitis caused by resistant bacterial strains. Due to the mentioned benefits, there is a tendency for the cultivation ofM. vulgarein order to ensure high-quality raw material, but more firm scientific evidence and well-designed clinical trials are necessary for the well-established use ofM. vulgareherb and its preparations.