Aucubin (Iridoid Glycoside · Hepatoprotective · Anti-inflammatory · Neuroprotective)
| Compound | Aucubin |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Iridoid Glycoside (Cyclopentanoid Monoterpene-derived) |
| CAS | 479-98-1 |
| Primary source | Plantago major (greater plantain/Bartang), Eucommia ulmoides, Aucuba japonica |
| Key applications | Hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Plantago major (Bartang/Barhang) seed extract; aucubin isolate |
| Buy from Herbuno |
Name origin: From Aucuba japonica (spotted laurel), where it was first isolated. Aucubin is a cyclopentanoid iridoid glycoside — a monoterpene-derived compound whose backbone is formed via the iridoid biosynthetic pathway. Traditional use: Plantain (Plantago major, Bartang/Barhang in Unani/Persian medicine) has extensive traditional use across European, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern traditions for wound healing, respiratory complaints, urinary tract conditions, and liver support — one of the oldest documented medicinal herbs in the European tradition. Research trajectory: Aucubin has attracted research for hepatoprotective activity (anti-fibrotic, protection against CCl4-induced liver damage), anti-inflammatory NF-κB inhibition, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotective effects in dementia and ischaemia models. Commercial source: Available as a constituent of Plantago major (Bartang/Barhang) seed extract in water-soluble, dry powder, and oil-soluble formats from Herbuno. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Aucubin Applications
Hepatoprotective — anti-fibrotic: Aucubin inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and reduces collagen deposition in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis animal models. TGF-β1/Smad signalling suppression is the primary anti-fibrotic mechanism. Relevant for liver health and hepatoprotective supplement formulations. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits NF-κB and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in macrophage and epithelial cell models. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity in arthritis and colitis models confirmed. Traditional anti-inflammatory use of plantain is consistent with preclinical mechanistic data. Claim strength: Moderate.
Neuroprotective: Aucubin reduces amyloid-beta accumulation and tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease animal models. Activates Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and reduces microglial neuroinflammation. Relevant for cognitive health and neuroprotection formulations. Claim strength: Moderate (convergent preclinical).
Antioxidant: Activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and directly scavenges reactive oxygen species. The iridoid glycoside structure provides antioxidant activity via both direct radical scavenging and indirect antioxidant enzyme induction. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
No established human clinical dose for isolated aucubin. Traditional Unani/Ayurvedic use of Plantago major seed preparations: 3–6 g/day whole seed or equivalent extract. For standardised aucubin delivery, Plantago major seed extract standardised to aucubin content is the appropriate specification. Bartang seed extract is available in three formats (water-soluble, powder, oil-soluble) — request HPLC-verified aucubin content on CoA. Aucubin as a glycoside is water-soluble and acid-stable (iridoid glycoside bond is more resistant to hydrolysis than O-glycoside flavonoids). Compatible with capsule, tablet, and aqueous liquid formats.
Frequently Asked Questions — Aucubin
What is an iridoid glycoside and how does aucubin differ from simple terpenoids?
Iridoids are a subclass of monoterpenoids biosynthesised via the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, forming a characteristic cyclopentane ring fused to a six-membered ring containing oxygen. They occur primarily as glycosides (aucubin: aucubigenin aglycone + glucose). Unlike volatile monoterpenes (limonene, menthol), iridoid glycosides are non-volatile, water-soluble compounds with very different pharmacological profiles focused on anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective mechanisms rather than aromatic/sensory applications.
Is Plantago major (Bartang) the same as psyllium?
No. Psyllium is Plantago ovata (blonde psyllium) or P. psyllium (Spanish psyllium) — different species valued for their mucilage-rich husks as a soluble fibre. Plantago major (greater plantain/Bartang/Barhang) is a different species with broader leaves, used in Unani and Western herbal medicine for anti-inflammatory and wound-healing applications. The seeds, leaves, and aerial parts of P. major contain aucubin and other iridoids; P. ovata husk is valued for psyllium polysaccharides, not iridoid content.
Can aucubin be combined with silymarin for a liver health formulation?
Yes — a rational combination. Silymarin (from milk thistle, Silybum marianum) has high RCT evidence for hepatoprotection via membrane stabilisation and antioxidant mechanisms. Aucubin contributes complementary anti-fibrotic activity (TGF-β1/Smad pathway suppression) and Nrf2 activation. The two compounds address different aspects of liver health and have no known adverse interactions, making co-formulation mechanistically defensible.
What is the difference between aucubin and catalpol?
Aucubin and catalpol are structurally related iridoid glycosides that co-occur in many of the same plant genera. Catalpol has an additional epoxide group compared to aucubin. Their pharmacological profiles significantly overlap (both are hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective) but catalpol has a stronger body of evidence specifically for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disease models, while aucubin has better characterised hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic activity.
Related compounds: Catalpol, Harpagoside, Geniposide, Borneol
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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