Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse, an endemic species in Iran: A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Nepeta menthoides Boiss & Buhse is one of the endemic species in Iran. Named Ostokhodus, it is almost used as substitute of the Lavandula stoechas –the original Ostokhodus- in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) over the time and widely used for the management of some ailments such as anxiety, depression, dementia and chronic pain. The aim of this study is to review the pharmacological and phytochemical evidence on Nepeta menthoides for the assessment of the recommended traditional indications of this herb. In this review, all the relevant articles that met our inclusion criteria [English or Persian articles, having full text, evaluating therapeutic effects of N. menthoides and dated mainly from the year ۱۹۸۰ to ۲۰۱۸] were included by searching studies in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and SID. The search terms were "Nepeta menthoides, "Ostokhodus". Triterpenes and monoterpenes were the most chemicals reported from essential oil of N. menthoides. Several pharmacological properties via in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies have been reported including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, antidepressant and anxiolytic, anticholinesterase, neuroprotective, memory enhancing, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anticancer and effect on opioid dependence. Some proposed traditional indications of this herb in TPM books are in accordance with pharmacological evidence like anti-nociceptive, anti-seizure, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, memory enhancing, neuroprotective, antidepressant, anxiolytic activity and anti-infective properties. Although some properties in TPM, such as anti-tussive and gastrotonic effects are not supported by scientific evidence, they need more investigations.