Optimization of Extraction Process of Prunellae Spica Compound by Orthogonal Test

[Objectives] The study aimed to optimize the extraction process of Prunellae Spica compound to provide an experimental basis for the development and utilization of the compound. [Methods]Through orthogonal test,the optimal extraction process of Prunellae Spica compound was chosen by using the yield of dry paste and ursolic acid content as evaluation indicators. [Results]The optimal extraction process of Prunellae Spica compound is as follows: solvent dosage was 16 times,and extraction frequency was 3 times,while extraction time was 1 h.[Conclusions]The extraction process of Prunellae Spica compound was stable and feasible,and this study can provide a theoretical basis for further preparation of the compound.

Establishment of Specific Chromatogram of Spica Prunellae Formula Granules Based on Standard Decoction

[Objectives]This study aimed to establish HPLC chromatograms of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae.[Methods]The chromatographic conditions were as follows:column,SHISEIDO CAPCELL PAK C18 MGII column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm);mobile phase,acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid;gradient elution;detection wavelength,280 nm;flow rate,1.0 mL/min;and column temperature,30℃.The correlation between the decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae was analyzed by specific chromatograms.[Results]The fingerprint chromatograms of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae showed five common peaks,with good correlation.Among the five common peaks,four of them were tanshinol,protocatechuic acid,caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.[Conclusions]The main chemical constituents of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae are basically the same.The HPLC specific chromatogram established can be used for the quality control of Spica Prunellae formula granules.

Integrating qualitative and quantitative characterization of Prunellae Spica by HPLC-QTOF/MS and HPLC-ELSD

The present study was designed to analyze the major constituents in Prunellae Spica and establish a method for simultaneous determination of two constituents contained in Prunellae Spica. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) technique was used to identify the constituents in the extractive of Prunellae Spica. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD) was used to simultaneously quantify two kinds of constituents contained in Prunellae Spica. Principal component analysis(PCA) was applied to compare the similarity and difference among samples from different regions of China. In the present study, 22 compounds were identified and some new fragmental pathways of triterpenic acids were discovered. An accurate and reliable HPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated for the first time to simultaneously quantify multiple constituents, including rosmarinic acid, maslinic acid, corosolic acid, betulin, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid in the extract of Prunellae Spica.(PCA) revealed some similarities and differences among different samples from different regions of China. In conclusion, our results from this study would be helpful in establishing a scientific and rational quality control method for Prunellae Spica.

夏枯草总黄酮的抗氧化活性研究

采用分光光度法研究了夏枯草(Prunella vulgaris L.)总黄酮的抗氧化活性。结果表明,在浓度为0.12 mg/m L时,对羟基自由基(·OH)清除率达到96%;在浓度为0.004 mg/m L时,对ABTS自由基正离子(ABTS+·)的清除率达到99%;在浓度为0.01 mg/m L时,对超氧阴离子(O2-·)的清除率达到92%;夏枯草总黄酮也具有较强的还原能力,证明夏枯草具有良好的还原能力和自由基清除活性。

贺兰山岩鹨

贺兰山岩鹨Prunella Kosiowi(Przewalski)自1887年Przewalskii命名以来国内一直没有采到标本,1986年冬笔者在宁夏中卫沙坡头考查过程中采到该鸟标本。报导如下,以再建国内地模标本。形态额、头顶、后颈、背至尾上覆羽棕沙色,各羽均具褐色纵纹。尾羽褐色,中央一对尾羽具棕色羽缘。眼先灰白色,无眉纹,两颊、耳羽棕色,沾沙色。颏、喉淡褐,羽端沾白色。前颈、上胸羽基黑褐色,各羽端淡棕色,因而呈黑褐鳞斑状,下胸污白;腹,尾下覆羽棕白色。两胁淡棕色,各羽微见褐色纵纹。翅及翅上覆羽褐色,初级飞羽,次级飞羽具棕色羽缘。

Orally administered extract from Prunella vulgaris attenuates spontaneous colitis in mdr1a^(-/-) mice

AIM: To investigate the ability of a Prunella vulgaris(P. vulgaris) ethanolic extract to attenuate spontaneous typhlocolitis in mdr1a-/- mice. METHODS: Vehicle(5% ethanol) or P. vulgaris ethanolic extract(2.4 mg/d) were administered daily by oral gavage to mdr1a-/- or wild type FVBWT mice from 6 wk of age up to 20 wk of age. Clinical signs of disease were noted by monitoring weight loss. Mice experiencingweight loss in excess of 15% were removed from the study. At the time mice were removed from the study, blood and colon tissue were collected for analyses that included histological evaluation of lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS: Administration of P. vulgaris extracts to mdr1a-/- mice delayed onset of colitis and reduced severity of mucosal inflammation when compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice. Oral administration of the P. vulgaris extract resulted in reduced(P < 0.05) serum levels of IL-10(4.6 ± 2 vs 19.4 ± 4), CXCL9(1319.0 ± 277 vs 3901.0 ± 858), and TNFα(9.9 ± 3 vs 14.8 ± 1) as well as reduced gene expression by more than two-fold for Ccl2, Ccl20, Cxcl1, Cxcl9, IL-1 α, Mmp10, VCAM-1, ICAM, IL-2, and TNFα in the colonic mucosa of mdr1a-/- mice compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a-/-mice. Histologically, several microscopic parameters were reduced(P < 0.05) in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/-mice, as was myeloperoxidase activity in the colon(2.49 ± 0.16 vs 3.36 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). The numbers of CD4+ T cells(2031.9 ± 412.1 vs 5054.5 ± 809.5) and germinal center B cells(2749.6 ± 473.7 vs 4934.0 ± 645.9) observed in the cecal tonsils of P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/- were significantly reduced(P < 0.05) from vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice. Vehicle-treated mdr1a-/- mice were found to produce serum antibodies to antigens derived from members of the intestinal microbiota, indicative of severe colitis and a loss of adaptive tolerance to the members of the microbiota. These serum antibodies were greatly reduced or absent in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a-/- mice. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory activity of P. vulgaris ethanolic extract effectively attenuated the severity of intestinal inflammation in mdr1a-/- mice.

Prunella vulgaris L. extract improves cellular immunity in MDR-TB challenged rats

Objective： To study the effect of the extract of Prunella vulgaris L. on multiple drugs resistant bacillus tuberculosis （MDR-TB）. Methods： Experimental animal model in rats was induced by MDR-TB. Normal group model group and Prunella vulgaris L. group were set up. The contents of IFN-7, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 were examined by ELISA. Their genome mRNAs were extracted, the target genes were amplified by PCR. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of them. Results： The content of IFN-q, of the extract of Prunella vulgaris L. group was 1.98±0.67 pg/ml, IL-4 was 6.47±1.46 pg/ml, IL-10 was 12.13±3.43 pg/ml and IL-12 was 3.02±0.86 pg/ml. Compared with the model group, Prunella vulgaris L. group was notable difference in serum IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-10 （P〈0.05）. The mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12 increased and IL-10 decreased obviously, the differences were quite significant （P〈0.05）, but IL-4 had no obvious change. Conclusion： The extract of Prunella vulgaris L. can enhance the cellar immunological function in rats from up-regulation of the level of genetic transcription, accordingly provide the theory basis of healing of tuberculosis with it.

The effects and mechanism of action of Prunella vulgaris L extract on Jurkat human T lymphoma cell proliferation

Objective:The aim of this study was to observe the effect of the Prunella vulgaris L extract on the Jurkat human T lymphoma cell line.Methods:Jurkat cells were cultivated with different concentrations of the extract from Prunella vulgaris L.The MTT assay and flow cytometry were employed to determine the cells' proliferation inhibition ratio and the apoptosis rates,respectively.Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to observe cellular DNA fragmentation,and western blotting was used to observe changes in Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.Results:The Prunella vulgaris L extract remarkably inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells.This inhibition exhibited dose dependence,with an IC50 of 20.23 ± 0.31 μg/mL.Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the apoptosis strap became wider and brighter,and flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate increased in a concentration-dependent manner.Western blotting showed that Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated and Bax protein was up-regulated during apoptosis.Conclusion:The extract from Prunella vulgaris L induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells by down-regulating Bcl-2 protein and up-regulating Bax protein.These actions inhibited the growth of Jurkat cells.

A Metabolomics Study of the Volatile Oil from Prunella vulgaris L.on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Objective Pelvic inflammatory disease(PID)is one of the most common gynaecological diseases.Here,this thesis aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Prunella vulgaris L.oil on the PID by using metabolomics based on gas chromatographymass spectrometry(GC-MS)to address this challenge.Methods First,measurements of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histological analysis of the uterus were conducted to validate the successful generation of a PID rat model.Furthermore,the volatile oil from Prunella vulgaris L.was administered to treat PID rats.Serum samples were collected before and after treatment and analyzed by GC-MS to generate metabolite profiles for each sample.The information generated from the qualitative and quantitative analysis of these metabolites was applied to distinguish between the PID model and normal control groups.Results Some metabolites,such as acetic acid,succinic acid,glyceric acid,(R*,S*)-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid,3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid,D-ribose and myo-inositol showed a higher contribution in the classification model;thus,they can be considered as potential biomarkers.Furthermore,the therapeutic effect of the volatile oil extracted from Prunella vulgaris L.could also be visualized using GC-MS-based metabolomics.Conclusions The results show that metabolomics studies are invaluable for disease diagnosis and therapeutic effect estimation.

The mechanism of Astragalus-Prunella vulgaris in the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective:To study the main chemical components and mechanism of Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris in the treatment of diabetes cardiomyopathy(DCM)based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.Methods:The main active components and prediction targets of Astragalus membranaceus and Prunella vulgaris herbal pairs were obtained by TCM Pharmacology database and analysis platform(TCMSP),and the disease genes were retrieved by genecards,OMIM,PharmGKB and drugbank databases.The disease and drug prediction targets were intersected to screen out common potential therapeutic targets.Cytoscape3.7.2 software was used to construct"drug component disease target"interaction network diagram;The PPI network of protein-protein interaction was constructed by using string database.R software was used to analyze the function enrichment of GO and KEGG for drug disease common targets,and autodock Vina 1.1.2 for molecular docking.Finally,the specific mechanism of Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris medicated serum on high glucose stimulated cardiomyocytes was verified in vitro.H9c2 cardiomyocytes were divided into five groups:normal group:low glucose(5.5 mmol/L)culture group,model group:high glucose(33 mmol/L)culture group,5%serum group:high glucose+5%Astragalus membranaceus Prunella vulgaris herb serum culture group,10%serum group:high glucose+10%Astragalus membranaceus Prunella vulgaris herb serum culture group,15%serum group:Hg high glucose+15%Astragalus membranaceus Prunella vulgaris herb serum culture group.MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate,and Western blot was used to detect the effect of Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris medicated serum on the expression of AKT1,p-AKT1,MAPK14 and p-MAPK14 proteins.Results:In this study,31 active components of Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris were screened,involving 157 targets of diabetes cardiomyopathy and 178 related signal pathways.The results of network analysis showed that Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris herbs may play a role in the treatment of DCM by acting on key targets such as AKT1,FOS,MAPK1,MAPK8,MAPK14,Jun and key pathways such as PI3K-AKT.Molecular docking showed that Astragalus membranaceus and Prunella vulgaris medicine had good binding between the active components luteolin,quercetin,pistil isoflavone,kaempferol and key targets such as AKT1,MAPK14,MAPK1,FOS,mapk8 and Jun,and the Vina score of luteolin and AKT1 was the lowest.The results in vitro showed that Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris medicated serum significantly improved the inhibition of H9c2 cardiomyocyte proliferation induced by high glucose,and increased the phosphorylation levels of AKT1 and MAPK14 proteins to play a role in the treatment of DCM.Conclusion:Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris have the characteristics of multi-target and multi-channel in the treatment of DCM.Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the protein expression of p-AKT1 and p-MAPK14.These findings provide a new idea and basis for further experimental study on the mechanism of Astragalus and Prunella vulgaris in the treatment of diabetes cardiomyopathy.

Mechanism of Prunella vulgaris in treating Graves' disease based on network pharmacology

Objective:To use the network pharmacology method to screen the effective components and targets of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease,and to explore the relationship between its components and targets and diseases.Methods:Collect and screen active components and targets of Prunella vulgaris through TCMSP;use GeneCards and DisGeNET databases to screen disease-related genes of Graves disease,construct a"drug-component-disease-target"network and screen The core target of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease.Then further protein interaction network analysis(PPI),GO biological function annotation,KEGG pathway analysis and molecular docking verification.Results:The ten active components of Prunella vulgaris can control 57 Graves'disease targets such as PPARG,PIK3CG,CASP9,AKT1,TNF,ICAM1,BCL2,BAX,etc.,affecting the inflammatory response,negative regulation of apoptosis and other related organisms.Academic process and TNF signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and cancer-related pathways and other related signaling pathways,thus playing a role in the treatment of Graves disease.Conclusion:This study initially verified the target and mode of action of Prunella vulgaris for Graves disease,which can lay the foundation for further revealing its clinical mechanism of action.

The Effect of <i>Prunella</i>on Anti-Inflammatory Activity in RAW264.7 Mouse Macrophage Cells

The extracts of Prunella vulgaris L. (Labiatae), a popular Western and Chinese herbal medicine, was shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which might be due to partially, their rosmarinic acid content. Inhition of prostaglandine E2 (PGE2) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells was assessed with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) following 8-hour treatments with Prunella vulgaris extracts or fractions. Results showed that 95% ethanol extracts from P. vulgaris significantly inhibited PGE2 production. In further studies, fraction 2 from the 95% ethanol extract of P. vulgaris significantly reduced PGE2 production at 66 μg/ml (72% reduction). Cytotoxic-ity did not play a role in the noted reduction of PGE2 seen in either the extracts or fractions from P. vulgaris. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that there was 1.4 mM rosmarinic acid in 95% ethanol Prunella extract (201 mg/ml crude extract). Our results suggest that rosmarinic acid may contribute toward the anti-inflammatory activity of Prunella in a dose-response manner. Prunella might have a potential to be used as a functional food for anti-inflammatory activity.

Advances in the Intervention of Prunella Spica Capsules on Postoperative Recurrence of Nodular Goiter

As important drugs for the treatment of nodular goiter(NG),Prunella Spica preparations are widely used clinically,and have a significant effect on NG.Various active ingredients in the preparations intervene in the formation of NG by inhibiting the proliferation of thyroid follicular cells,promoting cell apoptosis,regulating immunity,improving the microcirculation of thyroid tissue and other mechanisms,and can reduce the postoperative recurrence of NG.

耤河下游地区唇形科药用植物调查研究初报

一、地理环境横穿天水市区的(耒昔)河,是渭河的重要支流之一.它发源于甘谷县境内的石鼓山麓,蜿蜒东流,在北道区的河口入渭,全长近百公里.古城天水,就座落在(耒昔)河下游狭长的小型冲积平原上.

Exploring the antihypertensive mechanism of Prunella vulgaris through integrated network pharmacology analysis

Prunella vulgaris,a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),exerts a significant hypotensive effect,particularly in managing various forms of hypertension.Nonetheless,the precise antihypertensive constituents and their respective targets remain elusive.This study endeavored to identify the hypotensive components of P.vulgaris and elucidated its mode of action based on hypotensive targets.Utilizing the Systematic Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),UniProt,GeneCards,STRING,RCSB,and the Human Genome Annotation and Analysis Database(Metascape),we conducted a screening of active ingredients and hypotensive targets.The Network Analyzer software Cytoscape 3.9.0 facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the active ingredients.Molecular docking was executed employing Sybyl-X 2.0 and Discovery Studio 2019.Predictions and analyses of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of active ingredients were performed using the ADMETlab 2.0 online platform.Eight active compounds(1–8)and 11 hypotensive targets were identified,with IL1B and PPARG exhibiting a high degree of correlation.Dominant biological processes included negative regulation of apoptotic processes,positive regulation of gene expression,response to xenobiotic stimulus,and response to hypoxia.KEGG analysis unveiled core pharmacological mechanisms,notably fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,lipid and atherosclerosis,P13K-Akt,MAPK,and relaxin signaling pathways.Compounds 5–8 demonstrated robust interactions with multiple targets through hydrogen bonds,van der Waals forces,and pi-alkyl interactions,which serve as primary stabilizers of docking complexes.Notably,compound 7 exhibited promising ADMET prediction results,suggesting its potential for drug molecule development.Our findings underscored the synergistic effects of P.vulgaris on multiple targets and pathways in hypertension treatment,reflecting the characteristic multi-component and multi-target effects of TCM.

夏枯草诱导人甲状腺乳头状癌细胞K1增殖和凋亡的影响及其作用机制

目的:探索夏枯草对人甲状腺乳头状癌细胞(K1)增殖和诱导K1细胞凋亡的影响及其可能的作用机制。方法:采用MTT比色法测定2~200 mg/mL夏枯草作用24 h对K1细胞增殖的影响;采用Hoechst染色法和流式细胞术(Annexin V-FITC/PI联合标记)观察0.3、0.6、1.2、2.4、4.8 mg/mL夏枯草作用24 h K1细胞凋亡的影响;采用蛋白质免疫印迹法(Western blotting)测定1.2、2.4、4.8 mg/mL夏枯草作用24h对K1细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响。结果:在2~200 mg/mL的浓度范围内夏枯草作用24 h对K1细胞增殖有明显抑制作用(P<0.05),IC50值为2.427 mg/mL。流式细胞术检测结果显示夏枯草可诱导K1细胞凋亡,2.4、4.8 mg/mL组K1细胞总凋亡率分别为(11.35±0.92)%、(44.57±3.07)%,与对照组相比明显升高(P<0.05);与对照组相比,1.2、2.4、4.8 mg/mL夏枯草作用24 h胞浆内凋亡蛋白Bax、细胞色素C(Cyto C)、Caspase-9、活化的Caspase-3(Cleaved Caspase-3)表达增多。结论:夏枯草能抑制人甲状腺癌K1细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,其机制可能与活化线粒体凋亡通路有关。

Prunella vulgaris Polysaccharide Inhibits Growth and Migration of Breast Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts by Suppressing Expression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor

Objective:To study the effects of Prunella vulgaris polysaccharide(PVP)on human breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts(CAFs).Method:Cell viability was detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-4-sulfophenyl)?2H?tetrazolium(MTS)assay.Wound healing experiment and transwell migration assay were used to investigate the anti-migration effects.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in CAFs.Culture SKBr-3 with CAFs conditioned medium(CAFs-CM)to evaluate the indirect function on the proliferation of breast cancer SKBr-3 cells.Results:PVP inhibited the viability of CAFs by inducing apoptosis(P<0.01)and arresting cell cycle(P<0.01).It also inhibited the migration of CAFs(P<0.01).bFGF promoted CAFs proliferation(P<0.01)and migration(P<0.01),protected CAFs from apoptosis(P<0.05)and reduced Go phase to 49.06%(P<0.01).However,these effects of bFGF on CAFs could be abrogated by PVP.Culturing SKBr-3 with CAFs-CM,PVP could inhibit the viability of breast cancer SKBr-3 cells indirectly.Moreover,PVP reduced the mRNA expression(P<0.01)and protein secretion of bFGF(P<0.01)in CAFs.Conclusion:PVP could exert an anti-cancer effect on breast CAFs by inhibiting bFGF expressi on,thus inhibit!ng the growth of breast can cer SKBr-3 cells in directly.

Effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. on glycemia and pancreas in rat model of streptozotozin diabetes

Background The effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. （TAP） on diabetes and its mechanism are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TAP on antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and pancreas-protective in streptozotozin （STZ）-diabetic rats. Methods The diabetic model was produced by injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. Blood was drawn from the tail vein of rats after 72 hours. Rats with blood glucose 〉16.7 mmol/L were considered diabetic. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups： （1） Diabetes rat （STZ）, （2） Diabetic rats treated with 50 mg/kg of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L （STZ＋TAP50）, （3） Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP100）, and （4） Diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP200）. Normal rats （n=10） acted as the control group （NC）. TAP was administered by the intragastric route once each day for six weeks. Body weight and the concentration of blood glucose （BG） were measured after three and six weeks. Fructosamine （FMN）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, and nitric oxide （NO）, and the activities of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in serum were determined after six weeks using commercially available kits following the manufacturer＇s instructions. Pathologic changes in pancreatic β-cells were also investigated by microscopic examination after hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The level of SOD mRNA in pancreatic β-cells was measured by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Results The levels of BG, FMN, NO, and MDA and the activities of NOS in serum in the four diabetes groups were significantly increased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. The activity of SOD in serum and the body weight was significantly decreased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. After administration of TAP to diabetic rats for six weeks, the body weight and the levels of BG, FMN, MDA, NO and the activity of NOS in serum decreased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of SOD in serum and body weight increased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in SOD mRNA expression in pancreatic β cells. However, these changes were reversed by TAP. Histopathological examination also showed the protective effect of TAP on pancreatic β cells. Conclusions Triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. has an anti-diabetic effect, by controlling blood glucose and antioxidants, and has a protective effect on the pancreas.

Emerging therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris in thyroid disease

Thyroid disease is characterized by unusual levels of thyroid hormones,which results in either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.The pathology of a particular type or stage of thyroid disease is very complicated,and always linked to a variety of biological functions.Although the mortality rate is not high,thyroid dysfunction could lead to metabolic and immunological disorders that can subsequently cause discomfort.To date,many drugs are suggested to have curative effects on thyroid disease,however,drug toxicity and long treatment periods encourage the search for more promising ones.Prunella vulgaris L.(Labiatae)is a popular herb that has shown great potential for improving human immunity and organ protection.It has been extensively used in the treatment of many diseases but its ability to treat specific diseases has not been fully reported.In this review,a literature search regarding herbs and herbal recipes for treating thyroid disease were carried out,organized,and summarized.In addition,this study conducted a literature search on the current situation and progress of P.vulgaris treatment for various diseases.Finally,this study discussed studies regarding P.vulgaris treatment of goiter,and the mechanism of treatment through the regulation of apoptosis.Accordingly,a combination therapy of herbs and Western medicine can provide significant therapeutic effects in the clinical treatment of thyroid disease.Furthermore,the association between P.vulgaris and various diseases suggests that P.vulgaris is rich in a variety of active substances that can fight oxidation and participate in the regulation of apoptosis,thus having a protective effect on the thyroid.Here,a comprehensive literature review regarding the application of herbs or herbal recipes in the treatment of thyroid disease was presented.It is concluded that there is strong evidence for further research regarding the use of P.vulgaris in the treatment of thyroid diseases.

Morphological and Chemical Variation of Prunella vulgaris Populations from Different Locations in China

Objective To investigate the variation of chemical characteristics with environmental factors and establish a relationship between morphological characters and chemical composition of Prunella vulgaris collected in different areas of China. Methods Twelve phenotypic traits and three chemical compositions were assessed in 28 populations of P. vulgaris collected from different locations in China. Results The variability ranges observed at phenotypic and chemical levels were polymorphic. According to the morphological traits, 28 populations of P. vulgaris could be grouped into six clusters, and two morpho-types could be clearly distinguished. Perceptible differences could be discerned in the plant height, leaf length, corolla length, calyx length, fruiting spikes length, and maturity period. Based on three kinds of components including ursolic acid, total flavonoids, and total polysaccharides, all populations could be identified as four types. Cluster IV showing high content of ursolic acid, total flavonoids, and total polysaccharides could be utilized to develop superior derivatives. Conclusion The variation of chemical characteristics is influenced by the genetic and environmental factors, such as soil, climate, longitude, and altitude. It provides a solid basis for efficiently evaluating qualities and establishing good agricultural practices for P. vulgaris.