Phytochemical and biological studies of Stachys species in relation to chemotaxonomy: a review

The genus Stachys is comprised of about 300 species spread throughout the world, hence representingone of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae. Several Stachys species have been exploited in traditionalmedicine as astringent, wound-healing, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-nephritic and anti-inflammatory agents.Moreover, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of some Stachys species are documented.Iridoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and diterpenoids are reported as secondary metabolites of differentspecies of this genus.The aim of the present review is to summarize and to highlight the recent advances in current knowledgeon Stachys species and to compile reports of chemical constituents isolated from the genus Stachysover the past decades, together with their structural features, biological activities, and structure–activityrelationships. Diversity of chemical constituents is discussed in relationship with current Stachys infragenerictaxonomy, classification and relationships with systematically close genera.