• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2008

Objective: There is increasing evidence that chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is recognized to be a local inflammatory disease, and there is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Prunella vulgaris has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of scrofula, goiter, and allergy diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of Prunella vulgaris on inflammatory cytokines and cytopathological alternation in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ treatment. Methods: Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}-estradiol$ after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Prunella vulgaris as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelial-stromal ratio for glandular damage, and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including the interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. Results: While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with Prunella vulgaris showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in Prunella vulgaris over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelial-stromal ratio was lower with Prunella vulgaris when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytokine genes, Prunella vulgaris inhibited the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Prunella vulgaris may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokine. From theses results, we suggest that Prunella vulgaris could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.137-144
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• 2007

Yam, Prunella was stepwise extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. Anti-microbial activity of each extract was investigated. Hexane extract was tested for anti-microbial effect on Streptocaccus mutans, one of causative factor of dental caries. Methanol extracts of 7 plants were investigated to anti-microbial effects on S. mutans KCTC 5316, P. gingivalis KCTC 5352, S. aureus KCTC 1927 by means of agar diffusion method. Methanol extract of Yam and Prunella revealed anti-microbial activity against S. mutans, P. gingivalis, and S. aureus. Also, hexane fraction of Yam revealed anti-microbial activity against S. mutans. In sequence of hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol fraction by Prunelia acted as potent anti-microbial agent on P. gingivalis. The measured MIC of hexane fraction of Yam and Prunella on S. mutans KCTC 5316 strain was 0.25 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml and the MIC of hexane fraction of Prunella on S. aureus was 0.5 mg/ml. The hexane fraction of Yam and Prunella suppressed viable ceil counts(VCC) of S. mutans, especially after 24 hrs. The Prunella hexane fraction suppressed VCC of S. aureus, after 12 and 24 hrs. Tested concentrations were 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml. the results were compared with control (0 mg/ml). The pH of S. mutans media and GTase activity were determined to evaluate the anticariogenic activity of Yam, Prunella hexane fraction. The pH were increased from 5.6 to 7.0-7.2 in concentration of 2.0 mg/ml. Yam hexane extraction revealed 35% inhibition to GTase activity and Punella inhibited 25% of GTase. These results suggest that the hexane extracts of Yam and prunella have Antibacterial activities against S. mutans, P. gingivalis, S. aureus and have preventive effect on dental caries.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris on osteoclast differentiation. Methods: MTT-assay was performed to estimate cytotoxicity of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris in BMMs stimulated with M-CSF. TRAP staining, TRAP activity and Real-time PCR were performed to know the inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. Actin ring formation were analysed to observe the effect of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris. Results: Ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris has no cytotoxicity at the concentration of $1{\mu}g/ml$ or lower. Ursolic acid decreased the number of TRAP positive cells and the expression of NFATc1 gene, c-Fos gene, TRAP and OSCAR in BMMs stimulated with RANKL. Ursolic acid restrained the formation of actin ring. Ursolic acid inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by inducing degradation of p-$IkB{\alpha}$. Conclusions: Ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris has the inhibitory effect of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Futher studies are needed to treat osteoporosis by usolic acid from Prunella vulgaris.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2007

Streptococcus mutans is the major causative factor in dental caries and has been known to induce dental caries by the process of initial attachment proliferation and acid production. The pH of Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) media and glucosyltransferase(GTase) activity were determined to evaluate the anticariogenic activity of Dioscorea batatas and Prunella vulgaris hexane fraction. In the experiment of hexane fraction of Dioscorea batatas, the relative growth ratio(RGR) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) was determined as 93% in concentration of 0.125 mg/ml, 100% in 0.25 mg/ml. The hexane fraction of Prunella vulgaris revealed relative growth ratio(RGR) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) as 86% in concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, 100% in 0.5 mg/ml. The relative growth ratio(RGR) against of hexane fraction were determined as 92% in concentration of 0.25 mg/ml, 100% in 0.5 mg/ml. The acidities were pH 7.2 on Dioscorea batatas and 7.0 on Prunella vulgaris in 2.0 mg/ml in contrast to pH 5.6 on Dioscorea batatas and 5.2 on Prunella vulgaris in control. The inhibitory effect to activity revealed 35% on Dioscorea batatas and 25% on Prunella vulgaris in 2.0 mg/ml. The inhibitory effect of Dioscorea batatas was more potent than Prunella vulgaris.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2015

Literatures and experimental studies have shown that Prunella has an effect on anti-hypertension, however, its components are complicated, so that it is still difficult to clear the specific roles of its various components in blood pressure regulation in. So we decide to systematically study the anti-hypertension mechanism of Prunella. We integrated multiple databases and constructed molecular interaction network between the chemical constituents of Prunella Vulgaris and hypertension based on entity grammar systems model. The network has 262 nodes and 802 edges. Then we infer the interactions between chemical compositions and disease targets to clarify the anti-hypertension mechanism. Finally, we found Prunella could influence hypertension by regulating apoptosis, cell proliferation, blood vessel development and vasoconstriction, etc. Thus this study provides reference for drug development and compatibility, and also gives guidance for health care at a certain extent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.209-215
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• 2000

'Ha Go Cho (夏枯草)' is one of the Chinese crude drugs used mainly as a diuretic. With regard to the botanical origin of 'Ha Go Cho', it was reported by Su et al. that those from China were originated from the fruited spica of Prunella vulgaris L. of Labiatae. It was, however, for the herba or spica of Prunella vulgaris L. var. lilacina Nakai from Korea. According to survey of markets in Korea, most of the materials collected in the markets seemed to be originated from Prunella plant, while some seemed to be Thesium plant of Santalaceae. To clarify the botanical origin of 'Ha Go Cho', the anatomical characteristics of Prunella vulgaris L. var. lilacina Nakai and Thesium chinense Turcz. were studied. As a result, it was clarified that some 'Ha Go Cho' from Korea were the herba or spica of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, whereas some others were the herba of Thesium chinense.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-54
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (n=8), LPS control (n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n=8), and LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n=8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-10 (IL-10), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue were compared before and 5 hrs after inflammation induction. Results : In CV4 and CV12 groups, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels increased by LPS injection, significantly decreased 5 hrs after injection (p<0.05). For CV12 group, plasma IL-10 concentration significantly increased (p<0.05). Liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 levles significantly decreased in CV4 and CV12 groups (P<0.05), while normal and LPS control groups were not significantly different in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 levels. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in CV12 group, while there was no significant difference among LPS control and pharmacopuncture groups for liver TBARS concentration. Conclusions : Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2010

Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina Nakai, P. vulgaris var. aleutica Fernald, and P. vulgaris var. albiflora Nakai have been reported as infrageneric taxa of Prunella L. in Korea. I found many samples of P. pinnatifida Pers. in the previously collected herbarium sheets in several major herbaria in Korea and confirmed its distribution again in Jaeun Island, Chonnam Province with the information from those herbarium sheets. P. pinnatifida Pers. has deeply lobed leaves in contrast to entire or barely dentate leaves of P. vulgaris var. lilacina Nakai, P. vulgaris var. aleutica Fernald, and P. vulgaris var. albiflora Nakai. I first report the distribution of this taxon in Korea and give it the Korean name Gal-re-kkul-pul. I provide description, illustrations, and an infrageneric key to identification of the other taxa of Prunella in Korea, and discuss some taxonomic problems of this taxon.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1422-1427
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• 2011

This study was performed to develop effective antithrombotic agents from traditional herb extracts. Prunella vulgaris L. has been used traditionally as a medical resource in cancer therapy, as well as treatment of hypertension and inflammation, and as a diuretic. However, the effects of Prunella vulgaris on thrombosis and platelet activation have not been clearly understood. Antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of oriental medicinal herbs were investigated by evaluating the effect of the aqueous extract from Prunella vulgaris on the blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis. Prunella vulgaris extracts showed effective anticoagulant activity in coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Prunella vulgaris also inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, evaluation of fibrinolytic activity showed that the Prunella vulgaris extracts have high solubility. From these results, it is suggested that Prunella vulgaris can be a potential candidate for anticoagulants and antiplatelets, as well as fibrinolytic agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

In this study, the potential anti-aging properties of Prunella vulgaris extract were investigated. According to our results, Prunella vulgaris extract increased collagen synthesis(74.7% at 250 ${\mu}g/mL$) and decreased on MMP-1 synthesis(90.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/mL$) and elastase activity(43.7% at 2.0%). Furthermore, it also showed free radical scavenging activity(76.9% at 2.0%) and reduced $H_2O_2$-induced cytoxicity(49.9% at 2.0%). A double-blind clinical study to investigate the effect of Prunella vulgaris extract on the skin's surface was conducted with 22 healthy volunteers, aged 34 to 48 years. The volunteers applied a cream formula with 4.0% of Prunella vulgaris extract, or placebo cream, on each crow's feet twice a day for 12 weeks. Skin wrinkles were evaluated with the naked eye and instrumental image analysis of silicone replicas, followed by statistical analysis. Twelve weeks after application of cream formula with 4.0% of Prunella vulgaris extract, we found significant improvement of facial wrinkle. Moreover, silicone replica analysis confirmed notable improvement in average of R2 and R3 at 12 weeks(p<0.05). These results demonstrate that Prunella vulgaris provides a remarkable and significant tensor and anti-wrinkle effect on the skin, which could be of great use in anti-aging skin care products.