THE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF Ballota nigra

摘要

The genus Ballota (Labiatae) comprises 3 species, which are distributed in Iran [1]. Ballota nigra L. has been found in Azerbaijan, Golestan, Kurdestan, and Mazandaran provinces of Iran [2, 3]. B. nigra has antiaging, antiemetic, antitussive, antioxidant, and antispasmodic activity [4]. In Iranian herbal medicine, it has already been used as tonic and anticonvulsant, diuretic, anthelminthic, and for treatment of nervous disorders [3]. A literature survey has shown that there is one report on the volatile constituents of B. nigra ssp.foetida [5]. Diterpenes and tannins have been found in B. nigra [6]. The medicinal properties attributed to the essential oil of the genus Ballota, prompted us to investigate the chemical constituents of the oil of B. nigra.