• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.484-490
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• 2011

The potential antioxidant activities of different fractions from Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina were assayed in vitro. Among several fractions, n-BuOH fraction showed the highest 1,1-di[henyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ($IC_{50}=0.50{\mu}g/mL$). The results of 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay showed the concentration dependency and n-BuOH fraction appeared a better result than the other fractions at the same concentrati on in this study. Moreover the total phenol and flavonoid contents of n-BuOH fraction contained the highest level. Additionally, correlation analysis indicated a high correlation between the antiradical activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents (p < 0.001). It suggests that n-BuOH fraction obtained from the 70% EtOH crude extract of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina has wide potential for use as a source of antioxidant material.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 2004

Numerous novel ingredients have been introduced for the higher functionality of whitening cosmetics. Through the preliminary research, we have found Trichosanthes kirilowii root, Prunella vulgaris leaf and Clematis chinensis root have high whitening efficacy. But they are insoluble. Moreover the discoloration of and decrease in content take place when they are exposed to light, heat or oxygen. From Trichosanthes kirilowii root, Prunella vulgaris leaf and Clematis chinensis root, efficacious ingredients were ethanol-extracted by heating to 75∼85$^{\circ}C$ for 6∼8 h. These extracts have the inhibitory activity of tyrosinase and B16 melanin formation, thus enhancing whitening effect. We made liposomes using propylene glycol (PG)/hydrogenated lecithin/middle chain triglycerides (MCT)/glycerin/water and microfuidizer to stabilize extracts. The stability against heat and light was enhanced by 3∼5 times compared with untreated extracts. Particle size analyzer, freeze fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM), chromameter and HPLC are used for the analysis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder and characterized by positive symptom (i.e., delusions, hallucinations), negative symptom (i.e., lack of emotion, social withdrawal), and cognitive impairment. Previously, we reported that the ethanolic extract of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina attenuated the MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors such as prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits and cognitive impairment in mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether danshensu isolated from P. vulgaris var. lilacina attenuates MK-801-induced sensorimotor gating dysfunction (PPI deficits), hyperlocomotion, and memory impairment in mice. Acute administration of danshensu (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the MK-801-induced PPI deficits in the acoustic startle response test. We also observed that the impaired recognition memory induced by MK-801 was attenuated by danshensu (1 mg/kg) in the novel object recognition test. However, danshensu failed to reverse the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in the open-field test. Collectively, the present results indicate danshensu would be an active agent for treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.218-222
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• 2009

Ability of water extract from Prunella vulgaris Labiatae to stimulate immune system and inhibit tumor metastasis in mice was assessed. In experimental lung metastasis, prophylactic intravenous (i.v.) administration of water extract from P. vulgaris significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependant manner. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with P. vulgaris produced various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interlukin (IL)-12 as well as induced tumoricidal activity. In an assay for natural killer (NK) cell activity, i.v. administration of P. vulgaris significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity. The depletion of NK cells by injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 serum abolished the inhibitory effect of P. vulgaris on lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells. These data demonstrate that P. vulgaris activate innate immune system to inhibit the growth of foreign materials including tumor cells in mice.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.352-357
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• 2013

Atherosclerosis, which manifests as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. Prunella vulgaris, a perennial herb with a worldwide distribution, has been used as a traditional medicine in inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated the effects of P. vulgaris ethanol extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We found that P. vulgaris ethanol extract inhibited adhesion of monocyte/macrophage-like THP-1 cells to activated HASMCs. It also decreased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and ROS, No production in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HASMCs and reduced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Furthermore, P. vulgaris extract suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results demonstrate that P. vulgaris possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can regulate TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of adhesion molecules by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

Three known ${\alpha}$-amyrin triterpenoids, ursolic acid (1), $2{\alpha},3{\alpha}$-dihydro xyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (2) and euscaphic acid (3), and ${\beta}$-amyrin triterpenoid, $3{\beta}$-hydroxyolean-5,12-diene (4), and ${\alpha}$-spinasterol (5) have been isolated from the fractionated n-butanol extracts of the spikes of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, guided by DNA topoisomerases I and II inhibitory activities and cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against human colon adenoblastoma (HT-29), and 5 showed DNA topoisomerase I and II inhibitions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1121-1126
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• 2010

The oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of methanolic extracts of Prunella Spica (PSE) against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells. The cells exposed to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress were treated with various concentrations of PSE; this treatment resulted in the induction of a dose-dependent protective effect, which was evidenced by the results of MTT reduction assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, morphological assay, and colony-formation assay. Interestingly, we also observed reduction of apoptotic bodies in the Hoechst staining and flow cytometric analysis. These data show that apoptosis was significantly suppressed in the PC12 cells that were exposed to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and treated with PSE. These results suggest that Prunella Spica could be a new potential protective agent against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.416-420
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• 2000

Ursolic acid was isolated from Prunellae Herba (Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina) and identified by direct comparison with an authentic sample. A method of analysis for the evaluation of ursolic acid was developed based on extraction of ground plant material, followed by quantitative determination using capillary gas chromatography of the TMS derivative. Quantitative analysis by GC after derivatisation under mild silylating conditions showed 0.31% ursolic acid in 20 samples collected throughout regions of Korea while no ursolic acid was detected in the samples of the whole plant of Thesium chinense, a substitute for Prunellae Herba in southern regions of Korean peninsula.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.370.1-370.1
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• 2002

Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina (Labiatae) has been used as a Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of. fever. inflammation. urinary disadvantage and cancer. We previously isolated three $\alpha$-amyrin triterpenoids from n-butanol-I extract. They are 3$\alpha$-hydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (ursolic acid). 2$\alpha$, 3$\alpha$-dihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid and 2$\alpha$. 3$\alpha$. 19$\alpha$ trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (euscaphic acid) exhibiting cytotoxicity and topoisomerase I inhibition. (omitted)

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.09a
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• pp.272-273
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• 2011