Biological Activities and Analytical Methods for Detecting Aucubin and Catalpol Iridoid Glycosides in Plantago Species: A Review Study

Background: Plantago species contain aucubin and catalpol iridoid glycosides used in traditional medicine for many purposes. Objectives: To accelerate the utilization of aucubin and catalpol in Plantago species, research should be focused on introducing advanced purification and detection methods. In this regard, the therapeutic activities of aucubin and catalpol compounds are mentioned to confirm their effectiveness in medicinal uses. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using the keywords “Aucubin and Catalpol + Plantago” in the public domains of Google scholar. Results: The iridoid patterns exhibited a significant correlation with morphological and other chemical specifications of the representatives of the genus Plantago. Commonly, iridoid glycosides are detected with gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and capillary electrophoresis techniques. The most common methods are HPLC and HPTLC. Aucubin and catalpol are active compounds possessing biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, osteoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Conclusion: This review article comprehensively summarizes cytotoxic activities and detection methods of aucubin and catalpol in Plantago species. The results suggest that Plantago species and their metabolites may benefit human health beyond their traditional uses.