Glechoma hederacea
What's the taxonomical classification of Glechoma hederacea?
Glechoma hederacea belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant is further categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Glechoma and the species hederacea.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Glechoma |
| Species | hederacea |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Glechoma hederaeace has opposite, petiolate leaves that are reniform or kidney-shaped with crenate margins and a dark green, slightly textured surface. The plant features a creeping, decumbent growth habit where the square-shaped stems trail along the ground. Small, zygomorphic flowers emerge from the leaf axils in shades of pale blue or violet with white markings. These blossoms possess a two-lipped structure characteristic of the mint family. The overall foliage often displays a slightly hairy texture on the undersides of the leaves.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate regions of East Asia, specifically spanning across Japan, Korea, China, and parts of Taiwan. It typically flourishes in moist, shaded environments such as forest floors and woodland understories. Within these habitats, it spreads through rhizomes to form dense groundcover in suitable microclimates. While its primary range is centered in Asia, it can occasionally be found in localized pockets where environmental conditions mimic its natural home. Its distribution is closely tied to the availability of consistent moisture and dappled sunlight.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant grows best in moist, well-drained soil under partial to full shade where it can spread via creeping runners.
It thrives in temperate climates and prefers consistent moisture levels to prevent the foliage from drying out. You can cultivate it as a groundcover to suppress weeds in shaded garden beds. Regular thinning may be necessary to prevent it from becoming overly aggressive in a landscape.
Once established, it requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional watering during dry spells.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Glechoma hederaacea is utilized medicinally through the use of its leaves and the whole plant. The leaves are frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat various ailments, particularly those involving the respiratory system. Practitioners often prepare decoctions or infusions from the entire herb to address broader systemic issues. These preparations are valued for their purported ability to act as an anti-inflammatory or diuretic agent. Careful dosage is essential when using these botanical components for therapeutic purposes.
According to a study published by "Eksperimenta'naia i klinicheskaia gastroenterologiia = Experimental & clinical gastroenterology", extracts from the leaves of goose-grass large are used medicinally. The research involved 6 outbred dogs-males with a mass of 14-17 kg. Plant-based preparations were entered perorally for 10-14 days in a volume of no more than 20 ml. The application of the goose-grass extract caused the most considerable decline in the amount and force of phase reductions. All used herbal medicines, including this extract, stimulated the motor activity of the stomach.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- whole plant
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Glechoma hederaeacea, commonly known as Chinese creeping charlie, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to clear heat, resolve toxicity, and promote blood circulation. Practitioners historically apply the herb to treat various ailments including skin infections, swelling, and menstrual irregularities. It is often prepared as a decoction or infusion to address internal inflammation and promote healing in the body. Beyond Chinese practices, some regional folk medicines utilize the plant for its perceived ability to reduce fever and alleviate pain. The historical application of this species reflects a long-standing reliance on its bioactive properties for treating localized infections and systemic heat.
According to a study published by "Cancer letters", Glechoma hederaceae L. is an anti-inflammatory Chinese medicinal plant. Two triterpene carboxylic acids, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), have been isolated from this plant. These acids significantly inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells at a 1000-fold molar ratio to TPA. The dose responses of these acids were found to be very similar to those of the antitumor promoters retinoid acid (RA) and glycyrrhethic acid (GA). Additionally, the study notes that UA and OA possess a far higher cell viability to the Raji cells than RA to the Raji cells.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Glechoma hederacea?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and cytotoxic pharmacological activities. The presence of bioactive compounds like flavonoids and polyphenols contributes to its potent antioxidant properties by neutralizing free radicals. Its antibacterial efficacy makes it useful for inhibiting the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the plant exhibits significant cytotoxic effects that play a crucial role in its demonstrated anticancer potential. These diverse biological actions suggest that Glechoma hederacea serves as a rich source of natural therapeutic agents.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Glechoma hederacea has been reported as a major source of ursolic acid (UA, 3 β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid). This UA possesses important biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial effects. The chemistry of UA involves modifications mostly made at positions C-3 (hydroxyl), C12-C13 (double bonds) and C-28 (carboxylic acid). These modifications lead to several UA derivatives such as esters, amides, and oxadiazole quinolone. Such derivatives are studied for their enhanced potency, bioavailability and water solubility in the management of non-communicable diseases.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains various bioactive phytochemicals including the triterpenoids oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. These specific compounds are recognized for their significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition to these triterpenes, the plant species produces flavonoids and alkaloids that contribute to its medicinal profile. Researchers study these chemical constituents to understand their potential roles in treating diverse health conditions. The presence of such complex organic molecules makes the plant a subject of interest in pharmacological studies.
According to a study published by "Cancer letters", the Chinese medicinal plant Glechoma hederaceae L. contains two triterpene carboxylic acids known as ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA). These isolated compounds act as inhibitors of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation in Raji cells. Both UA and OA significantly inhibited this activation at a 1000-fold molar ratio to TPA and also teleociidin B-4. The 3-keto derivatives of UA and OA showed an enhancement of the inhibitory activity. Additionally, the loss of oxygen functionality at the C-3 position of UA was noted in the study.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- oleanolic acid
- ursolic acid
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bacterial infections, inflammation, viral infections, Epstein-Barr virus activation, and cancer. Its bioactive compounds work to suppress inflammatory responses within the body. Researchers have also studied its potential to inhibit the replication of various viral pathogens. Specific studies suggest it may play a role in managing the activation of the Epstein-Barr virus. Furthermore, its medicinal properties are being investigated for their ability to combat certain types of cancer cells.
According to a study published by "Plants (Basel, Switzerland)", Glechoma hederacea L. is a medicinal plant known in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. The plant's 70% ethanol extracts possessed potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-treated bone-marrow-derived macrophages. Results from flow cytometry show that extracts from different vegetation periods reduced the conversion of macrophages to the pro-inflammatory phenotype M1. Additionally, the steam-distilled essential oils from the plant varied in the three accessions in the range of 0.32-2.98 mL/kg-1 of dry weight.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bacterial infections
- inflammation
- viral infections
- Epstein-Barr virus activation
- cancer
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Glechoma hederacea, which is utilized to create various medicinal herbal preparations including aqueous decoctions, ethanol tinctures, and dichloromethane extracts. Researchers often focus on dichloromethane extracts to isolate specific bioactive secondary metabolites like flavonoids and polyphenols. These concentrated preparations are studied for their potential pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The chemical diversity found within these different extraction methods allows for targeted therapeutic applications. Understanding the specific potency of each preparation is essential for developing standardized herbal medicines.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", the aboveground parts of Glechoma hederacea, especially the leaves, are abundant sources of ursolic acid containing 7.1-7.5 mg/g dry weight [DW]. Dichloromethane was identified as the best extractant for efficiency and selectivity to obtain extracts rich in triterpene constituents. When using the heat reflux method, dry dichloromethane extracts from the aerial parts of Glechoma sp. resulted in products with a high content of ursolic acid ranging from 17-25% w/w. This method was developed for future application in the quality control of plant materials and botanical extracts containing ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- dichloromethane extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause the stimulation of the basal level of enzyme activity in platelets. This physiological response may influence how blood clots within the human body. Such enzymatic changes suggest that the plant possesses bioactive compounds that interact with hematological processes. Researchers continue to study these specific interactions to understand the potential risks of ingestion. Monitoring these effects is essential for determining the overall safety profile of the species.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", a Labiatae extract was investigated for its influence on the adenylate cyclase system. The study found that 9 HODE extracted from Glechoma hederacea stimulates the basal level of enzyme activity in platelets. This specific activity is possibly involved in the folk uses claimed for the plant. No other specific health side effects or numerical data regarding Glechoma hederacea were provided in the text.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- stimulation of the basal level of enzyme activity in platelets
What herbs are paired with Glechoma hederacea?
This plant, commonly known as ground ivy, pairs most effectively with mint, lemon balm, and chamomile to enhance its subtle, earthy flavor profiles.
When used in tea blends, the mild bitterness of ground ivy is often balanced by the cooling sensation of peppermint or spearmint. Pairing it with citrusy herbs like lemon balm can help brighten its heavy, green notes for a more refreshing beverage. For those interested in culinary applications, combining it with sage or thyme provides a robust savory depth that complements its forest-like essence.
These combinations allow the unique characteristics of the plant to shine without being overwhelmed by stronger botanical scents.