The genus Teucrium (Lamiaceae) comprises approximately 250 species with significant medicinal and ecological importance. Despite extensive phytochemical studies, molecular data, particularly on chloroplast (cp.) genomes, remain limited for many species, especially those native to Iran. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete cp. genomes of three Iranian Teucrium species, T. chamaedrys, T. flavum, and T. polium, to investigate genome structure, variation, and phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Using high-throughput sequencing, we assembled and annotated the cp. genomes, revealing typical quadripartite structures with sizes ranging from 149,913 bp to 150,026 bp. Comparative genomic analyses, including IR boundary shifts, codon usage, repeat elements, and nucleotide diversity, highlighted structural variations. Sequence divergence analysis using mVISTA revealed several genes, including rpoC2, ycf1, ycf2, ndhF, rpl32, rps16, and accD, displayed notable sequence variation, making them potential phylogenetic markers. Additionally, highly variable intergenic regions, such as trnH-GUG-psbA, rps16-trnQ-UUG, and petG-trnW-CCA, were identified as potential hotspots for species differentiation. Codon usage analysis revealed a strong preference for A/U-ending codons, while nucleotide diversity (Pi) analysis identified highly variable intergenic regions such as trnH-GUG-psbA and rpl32-trnL-UAG. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on cp. genome sequences placed T. chamaedrys, T. flavum, and T. polium in well-supported clades, clarifying evolutionary relationships within Teucrium. This study provides the first complete cp. genome sequences for these Iranian Teucrium species, expanding genomic resources and offering valuable insights into their genetic diversity, evolutionary history, and medicinal potential.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-29339-x.

Background: The genus Teucrium L. is frequently employed in traditional medicine, primarily for addressing disorders of the digestive and respiratory systems. Biological investigations focused on essential oils have substantiated their antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and anti-rheumatic properties. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of the aerial parts of the endemic species Teucrium nuchense K. Koch. Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was evaluated through the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay and tested on normal skin fibroblasts (WS-1). Additionally, the antiinflammatory efficacy was assessed by monitoring nitric oxide production. The total phenolic content in the aqueous, methanolic, and chloroformic extracts was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Individual compounds were isolated using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Their identification was accomplished using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with an ESI-Q-TOF detector in conjunction with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: The essential oil yield was 0.32 ml/kg. Caryophyllene oxide, constituting 15.19 %, and 1- octen-3-ol, constituting 8.75%, emerged as the primary components in the essential oil. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes dominated the terpenic compounds, representing 25.1 % of the essential oil. The aqueous and methanolic extracts displayed a notable phenolic content, with percentages of 27 ± 2 % and 35 ± 0.1 %, respectively. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts demonstrated robust antioxidant activity in the ORAC test and in vitro assessments using WS-1 cells. The methanolic extract, at a concentration of 160 μg/ml, inhibited NO formation by 90 %, without toxicity in RAW 264.7. Individual compounds, teucrioside from the phenylethanoid glycoside class, two neo-clerodane diterpenes, teucrin A, and 6-alpha-hydroxyteuscordine, were isolated. Conclusion: The essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Teucrium nuchense is characterized by the presence of caryophyllene oxide and 1-octen-3-ol. The methanolic extract exhibits notable antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties, whereas the aqueous extract demonstrates high antioxidant activity. Additionally, three compounds of teucrioside, teucrin A, and 6-α- hydroxyteuscordine have been isolated and characterized.

Abstract— Teucrium danxiacola (Lamiaceae), a new species endemic to the Danxia landform of Jiangxi Province, eastern China, is described and illustrated here. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on five plastid markers ( matK , rbcL , rps16 , ndhF and trnL-trnF ) and nuclear ribosome ITS sequence data confirm its systematic placement within the genus Teucrium . Morphologically, the new species resembles T. viscidum and T. veronicoides , but is distinguished by the following characters: subcordate leaf base (vs. rounded to cuneate in T. viscidum ; truncate to subcordate in T. veronicoides ); a calyx covered with white spreading villous hairs (vs. glandular villous in T. viscidum ; subglabrous in T. veronicoides ) and posterior lateral lobes of the corolla bearing white spreading villous hairs (vs. subglabrous in both T. viscidum and T. veronicoides ).

The genus Teucrium L., member of Lamiaceae, is represented by approximately 36 species in Türkiye. In this study, the essential oil composition of the aerial parts of Teucrium kotschyanum Poech collected from İzmir (Ödemiş) was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major compounds were identified as germacrene D (20.0 %), α-cadinol (6.9 %), β-bourbonene (6.6 %), hexadecanoic acid (6.6 %), δ-cadinene (5.9 %) and manool (4.1 %). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the essential oil were studied against six bacteria and six fungi using the microdilution broth method. The essential oil showed moderate to weak inhibitory effects. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 125 to 2000 μg/mL for all tested microorganisms. The present study was also designed to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of the essential oil and extracts of the root and aerial parts of Teucrium kotschyanum via their potential inhibition of the related key enzymes. Essential oil showed significantly higher activity with an IC50 value of 100.25 mg/mL, than the positive control, with an IC50 value of 122.03 mg/mL. Among the extracts, the best activity was observed in the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of root parts, with the inhibition value of 94.79%, 55.49%, respectively.

Context: The broad and diverse genus Teucrium (Lamiaceae) is mostly found in temperate regions of Asia, North Africa, and Europe. Because of its medicinal qualities, Teucrium polium , a member of the Lamiaceae family, is frequently used in traditional medicine. Aims: This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of its leaf methanolic extracts and evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Materials and Methods: The crude leaf powder was macerated in methanol, then filtered, and evaporated to produce the T. polium extracts. Chemical components of the methanolic extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The SRB assay evaluated the extracts’ anticancer potential, whereas the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and ABTS assays were used to predict antioxidant activity, and finally, the agar well diffusion technique was used for antibacterial evaluation of the plant extract. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel ® , and the IC 50 value was calculated using GraphPad Prism 6 ® by converting the concentrations to their logarithmic value and selecting nonlinear inhibitor regression equation (log [inhibitor] versus normalized response – variable slope equation). Values of P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001 were considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results: GC-MS analysis of the plant’s leaf methanolic extracts was then conducted, resulting in the identification of 20 major chemical constituents, respectively. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of some chemicals, which are responsible for good antioxidant activity and antibacterial and no anticancer activity for cell lines tested. Conclusions: T. polium extracts have strong antioxidant qualities due to the high concentration of resins, phytosterol, carotenoids, and lactone components, which support their potential for use as natural medicinal agents.

In highly specialised phytophagous insects, important insights on phylogeny of the involved insect group can be often inferred from the evolutionary history of their host plants, and vice-versa, as in the case for a new, peculiar species of pollen beetles, recently discovered in Central China (Hubei Province). This new species is described herein as Teucriogethes huangae Liu & Audisio, sp. nov., and information on its ecology and systematic position is provided. The new species, associated as larvae with a strongly isolated member of the genus Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae), T. ornatum Hemsl., exhibiting a problematic taxonomic position, represents in turn an isolated and morphologically rather aberrant taxon in its lineage, probably the largest in size (2.2-2.8mm), and the first endemic representative of its genus in the whole Eastern Palaearctic. An updating of the taxonomic assessment of members of Teucriogethes and on possible evolutionary relationships with their larval host plants, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, is finally presented. A key to identification of all known species is also introduced. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E349044B-29A5-416C-85CA-56143C7A29BE.

Herbal medicines are still widely practiced in Kurdistan Region-Iraq, especially by people living in villages on mountainous regions. Among plants belonging to the genus Teucrium (family Lamiaceae), which are commonly employed in the Kurdish traditional medicine, we have analyzed, for the first time, the methanol and aqueous methanol extracts of T. parviflorum aerial parts. The plant is mainly used by Kurds to treat jaundice, liver disorders and stomachache. We aimed to determine the phytochemical profile of the extracts and the structures of the main components, so to provide a scientific rationale for the ancient use of the plant in the ethno-pharmacological field. TLC analysis of the two extracts on silica gel and reversed phase TLC plates, using different visualization systems, indicated similar contents and the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids and sugars. The chlorophyll-free extracts exhibited weak/no antimicrobial activities against a panel of bacteria (MICs = 800–1600 µg/mL) and fungal strains (MICs ≥ 5 mg/mL). At the concentration of 600 µg/mL, the methanol extract showed moderate antiproliferative effects against A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines in the MTS assay. Moreover, both extracts exhibited a significant dose-dependent free radical scavenging action against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (EC50 = 62.11 and 44.25 μg/mL, respectively). In a phytochemical study, a high phenolic content (77.08 and 81.47 mg GAE/g dry extract, respectively) was found in both extracts by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. Medium pressure liquid chromatographic (MPLC) separation of the methanol extract on a reversed phase cartridge eluted with a gradient of MeOH in H2O, afforded two bioactive iridoid glucosides, harpagide (1) and 8-O-acetylharpagide (2). The structures of 1 and 2 were established by spectral data, chemical reactions, and comparison with the literature. Interestingly, significant amounts of hepatotoxic furano neo-clerodane diterpenoids, commonly occurring in Teucrium species, were not detected in the extract. The wide range of biological activities reported in the literature for compounds 1 and 2 and the significant antiradical effects of the extracts give scientific support to the traditional use in Iraqi Kurdistan of T. parviflorum aerial parts for the preparation of herbal remedies.

Herbal medicine is still widely practiced in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, especially by people living in villages in mountainous regions. Seven taxa belonging to the genus Teucrium (family Lamiaceae) are commonly employed in the Kurdish traditional medicine, especially to treat jaundice, stomachache and abdominal problems. We report, in this paper, a comprehensive account about the chemical structures and bioactivities of most representative specialized metabolites isolated from these plants. These findings indicate that Teucrium plants used in the folk medicine of Iraqi Kurdistan are natural sources of specialized metabolites that are potentially beneficial to human health.

Belonging to Lamiaceae family, the genusTeucriumL. is a rich source of secondary metabolites used in pharmacology and industrial medicine. This study aimed to investigate the flavonoid contents of methanol extract and the chemical markers ofTeucriumat specific and infraspecific levels and identify the chemotypes of its accessions. Nineteen accessions, eight species, and five subspecies were collected from three sections (Teucris, Polium, andScordium) belonging to the natural habitats in the west, southwest, centre, and south of Iran. Total flavonoid extraction was attained by the air-dried leaf ofTeucriumspecies and 90% methanol. HPLC coupled with triple quadrupole mass analyser was applied to screen and identify the chemical constituents. Multivariate analyses were implemented by cluster and principal component analysis. Chemical investigation specified 148 chemical compounds, of which 135 flavonoids were tentatively identified. The most abundant derivatives belonged to flavones (41 derivatives), flavonols (37 derivatives), and isoflavonoids (22 derivatives). Based on the cluster analysis, 13 groups of chemical markers were formed in sectionsTeucrisandScordiumand five groups in sectionPoliumas chemotaxonomic indicators. The specified chemotypes were represented by ten in the sectionsTeucrisandScordiumand by six in the sectionPolium. A relationship was suggested between type and flavonoid quantity (number), altitude, and geographical location. The present study provided valuable information for pharmacological research, bioactivity assessment, and chemotaxonomic purposes. This is the first report on the presence of chemotypes, chemical markers, and quality assessments for the genusTeucrium.

Species of the Genus Teucrium L. as Sources of Active Pharmaceutical Substances with Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Radioprotective Activity (Review)

The genus Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae) is a genus growing in mild climate zones, particularly in the Mediterranean Basin and Central Asia. It is represented by 11 taxa in Sardinia (Italy), living commonly in sunny habitats. In this study, the following eight Sardinian Teucrium taxa were selected, and the essential oils (EOs), obtained by stem distillation, were analyzed by GC–FID and GC–MS: T. capitatum subsp. capitatum, T. chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys, T. flavum subsp. glaucum, T. marum, T. massiliense, T. scordium subsp. scordioides, T. scorodonia, and T. subspinosum. The comprehensive analyses led to the identification of 87 constituents representing the majority of the volatile compounds. Significant differences, both qualitative and quantitative, were observed between the taxa. Overall, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes characterized all Teucrium EOs: T. capitatum subsp. capitatum and T. flavum subsp. glaucum revealed the highest content of monoterpene hydrocarbons, while in the other Teucrium taxa sesquiterpene hydrocarbons prevailed. Worthy of note, diterpenes were found only in T. marum and T. subspinosum, whereas T. massiliense was rich in non-terpenic oxygenated compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the chemical composition of EOs obtained from Sardinian Teucrium species.

Teucrioside, 9′-decarboxyrosmarinic acid 4′-O-α-rhamnosyl-(1‴→6‴)-O-β-galactosyl-(1‴→4″)-Oα-rhamnoside is a natural phenolic compound. It has been isolated and identified from the genus Teucrium. Teucrium genus is widely used in traditional medicine for its antioxidant, diuretic, antiulcer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antibacterial properties. Since silver nanoparticles have superior physicochemical properties, they have an important role in biology and medicine. In this study, the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out using Teucrioside and AgNO3. The effect of five independent variables (pH, AgNO3 concentration, Teucrioside volume/total volume, microwave power and time) on nanoparticle formation was evaluated using a central composite design (CCD) based response surface methodology (RSM). Nanoparticle formation was demonstrated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR analysis. The particle size and zeta potential of silver nanoparticles were determined by dynamic light scattering method (DLS). The results showed that 5 mM AgNO3, Teucrioside volume/total volume:0.3, 475 watt, 60 sec. and pH:7.5 were optimal reaction parameters. The antibacterial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against common pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Obtained results demonstrated that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Teucrioside have great potential as a new antibacterial agent.

Lamiaceae is a family comprising 236 genera, and more than 7000 species. It is one of the most widely used and phytochemically studied families, because of their various compounds.Lamiaceae can be divided into two major categories, the first one includes all those species that mainly produce volatile terpenoids, found in the volatile compounds, such as Salvia sp., Mentha sp., Thymus sp. and Rosmarinus sp. While the second one comprises species that mainly biosynthesize constituents of the polar fraction, as Ajuga sp., Origanum sp., Teucrium sp., Melittis sp., and Stachys sp. Numerous researches on phytochemicals have led to the identification of many compounds, such as α- and β-pinene, menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, and limonene among the volatile constituents, and mono- and sesquiterpenes. From the other hand, Terpenes phenolic acids (rosmarinic, caffeic acids) and Alkaloids (apigenin, hesperidin), were detected. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to produce a comprehensive review by summarizing the results from the literature on phytochemical constituents of the Lamiaceae family.

The genus Teucrium is a large and polymorphic genus of the Lamiaceae family distributed in mild climate zones, particularly in the Mediterranean basin and Central Asia. Studies of nonvolatile constituents of Teucrium species showed that they are a rich source of neo-clerodane diterpenoids, considered as chemotaxonomic markers of the genus. In addition to the nonvolatile metabolites, there has been a large interest in the essential oils of this genus. In this review, a complete survey of the chemical composition and biological properties of the essential oils isolated from Teucrium taxa is provided. In traditional medicine, since ancient times, species of this genus have been widely implemented for their biological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, insecticidal, anti-malaria, etc. Therefore, a complete review of all of the traditional uses of Teucrium taxa are also reported.

The genus Teucrium includes perennial herbs or shrubs widespread all around the world. The wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) is widely used in traditional and modern medicine for various health disorders and recent research revealed that serpentine populations of this herb have increased antioxidant and respective medical potential compared with calcareous population. The present study aims to elucidate further the role of phenolic compounds for T. chamaedrys growth on serpentine soil. Methanol extracts from two serpentine and two non-serpentine (calcareous and siliceous) Bulgarian populations were obtained and analysed for total quantity of phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. The serpentine soils acted as an elicitor of the antioxidant response in T. chamaedrys plants and the increased phenolics level correlated with enhanced antioxidant activity. The calcareous population had lower values but still higher than the siliceous population which had the lowest antioxidant values, although the flavonoid quantity that was equal to the serpentine populations. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay for identifying phenolic acids pointed to caffeic acid as a dominant compound, with additional cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives with putative roles as antioxidants, in cell wall lignification for heavy metals chelation, and for interspecies interactions.

The genus Teucrium L. is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to Lamiaceae family and Ajugoideae subfamily. The present study aims to evaluate the taxonomic status of the Teucrium species using both morphological and flavonoid characteristics and to determine the flavonoid classes. A total of 64 accessions belonged to eight species, and five subspecies were collected from different Zagros regions, Iran. Twenty-nine quantitative and qualitative morphological characters were studied. Extraction of leaf flavonoid was accomplished using a rotary evaporator and MeOH 90%. Identification of the chemotaxonomic position and flavonoid class of Teucrium species was investigated by thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Micromass Quattro micro Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometer. All information was analyzed using NTSYS pc. 2, PAST v.3.18 and Cluster Vis v. 1.8.2. According to the findings, T. polium accessions significantly revealed the highest value of morphological and flavonoid variations. All subspecies of T. orientale were definitely separated, but some relationships were observed between its subspecies, including taylori and glabrescens. All members of two sections of Polium and Teucris were definitely recognized. A total of seven flavonoid classes were determined from which the highest amounts of abundance were attributed to flavones (18) and isoflavones (17). In conclusion, morphological and flavonoid markers were introduced as appropriate characteristics in the taxonomic relationships of Teucrium species. All the evidence of the present research was first described for Iran.

The genus Teucrium is used in folk medicine for a long time as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents, and showed a wide spectrum of interesting biological activities. In this study, the aerial parts of Teucrium barbeyanum which collected from Ras El-Hilal, Libya were subject of extraction with different organic solvents, followed by extensive columns chromatography and crystallization using various solvent systems in order to isolate compounds. Dichloromethane extract afforded two sterol glucosides which successfully identified as sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside and the rare compound, clerosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside. The protons, carbons and OHgroups were fully assigned by means of spectroscopic techniques including NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, 90 and Q, COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and IR, and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry.

Recent molecular and morphological data derived from members of the pollen-beetle subfamily Meligethinae suggest the need to separate the genus Sagittogethes Audisio and Cline, 2009, including species mostly distributed in Western Palaearctic areas, into two distinct (although related) genera, Sagittogethes and Teucriogethes gen. n. This new genus, comprising the Western European Meligethes obscurus Erichson, 1845 as its type species, includes less than ten species distributed between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa westward, and China and Japan eastward. All inclusive species utilize members of the genus Teucrium L. (Lamiacaeae: Ajugoideae) as larval host-plants. Morphological and bionomical information, and molecular data clearly demonstrate the necessity for updating the taxonomic position of the two clades. Based on molecular evidence, the new genus represents the sister-group of Thymogethes Audisio and Cline, 2009, while the sister-group relationships of the remaining Sagittogethes taxa with other Lamiaceae-associated genera of Meligethinae remain uncertain. Within the new genus, the relictual and rare Western Mediterranean species T. minutus (C.N.F. Brisout de Barneville, 1863) seems to occupy an isolated position.

Recent molecular and morphological data derived from members of the pollen-beetle subfamily Meligethinae suggest the need to separate the genus Sagittogethes Audisio and Cline, 2009, including species mostly distributed in Western Palaearctic areas, into two distinct (although related) genera, Sagittogethes and Teucriogethes gen. n. This new genus, comprising the Western European Meligethes obscurus Erichson, 1845 as its type species, includes less than ten species distributed between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa westward, and China and Japan eastward. All inclusive species utilize members of the genus Teucrium L. (Lamiacaeae: Ajugoideae) as larval host-plants. Morphological and bionomical information, and molecular data clearly demonstrate the necessity for updating the taxonomic position of the two clades. Based on molecular evidence, the new genus represents the sister-group of Thymogethes Audisio and Cline, 2009, while the sister-group relationships of the remaining Sagittogethes taxa with other Lamiaceae-associated genera of Meligethinae remain uncertain. Within the new genus, the relictual and rare Western Mediterranean species T. minutus (C.N.F. Brisout de Barneville, 1863) seems to occupy an isolated position.

Teucrium L. is a well-known and cosmopolitan genus of the Lamiaceae family. In Turkey, the genus is represented by 36 species (48 taxa). Teucrium Sect. Teucrium that this study focuses on comprises around 30 species worldwide and is mainly distributed in countries of the Mediterranean Basin. With 11 species (14 taxa), it is the second-largest section of the genus Teucrium in Turkey. In this study, morphological and molecular findings were evaluated and the phylogeny and biogeographical distribution of Sect. Teucrium were analyzed. Also, five endemic taxa belonging to Sect. Teucrium and which play an informative role in the subsectional classification of the section were analyzed for the first time. A new species of the genus Teucrium from southwest Turkey was described as T. semrae Aksoy, Dirmenci & Özcan and analyzed using different approaches. The infrageneric position of T. semrae in sect. Teucrium and the phylogenetic structure of the section were determined according to morphological and micromorphological features and molecular nrITS and cpDNA data. The phylogenetic position of the new species was argued by comparing the closest members. Comparative figures and illustrations, distribution maps and an updated identification key for the Sect. Teucrium in Turkey are presented, and a new detailed classification is proposed in this study.