Prunella vulgaris L: Critical Pharmacological, Expository Traditional Uses and Extensive Phytochemistry: A Review

Abstract

Background: Prunella vulgaris, family Lamiaceae also known as self-heal, has been traditionally used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-rheumatic. Due to widespread distribution of the plant, Vulgaris is also called ‘vulgar’ in Latin adjective meaning common. Objective: The objective of this review was to describe the relevant aspects of phytochemistry and therapeutic uses of different fractions as well as isolated compounds from Prunella vulgaris. An attempt was also made to enumerate the possible leads e.g. betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin, luteolin, homoorientin, Rosmarinic acid and cinaroside for further development. Method: For peer-reviewed research literature, we undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases using a focused review question. Scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were used Results: Phytochemistry of Prunella vulgaris (PV) after a thorough literature survey revealed varied and copious metabolites, such as triterpenoids, phenolic acid, sterols, carbohydrates, coumarins, fatty acids, and volatile oils. Many of these compounds have been found to possess wide range of biological activity per se, including anti-microbial, immunosuppressive, anti-cancer, cardio-protective, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory. Conclusion: Prunella vulgaris is a medicinal plant of immense medicinal importance having a variety of compounds such as such as triterpenoids, phenolic acid, sterols, carbohydrates, coumarins, fatty acids, and volatile oils and diversity in pharmacological spectrum. The plant could be further exploited, to isolate the various biologically active constituents responsible for its activity.

Integrating multi‐index determination coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis to evaluate the quality consistency of PVE30, an anti‐HSV “glycoprotein” macromolecule of Prunellae Spica

“…1 "Secrets of Green Bag" (Qíng Náng Mì Jué, 青 囊 秘 诀; Ming Dynasty, AD 1368-1644) and many other Chinese herbal works have recorded similar efficacy as mentioned above. 2 In our previous scientific study on screening antiviral active components from medicinal herbs, we found that PVE30, the water-extracting ethanol-precipitating extract prepared from PS, had significant anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) [including type I (HSV-1, infect labia oris) and type II (HSV-2, infect genitals)] activity in vitro 3,4 ; the results were consistent with the recorded efficacy in ancient works. The EC 50 values (μg/mL ± SD) of PVE30 against acyclovir (ACV)-sensitive HSV-1/KOS and HSV-2/G strains were 45.62 ± 3.37 and 57.14 ± 2.37, respectively, and those against ACVresistant HSV-1/Blue, HSV-1/106, and HSV-1/153 strains were 54.54 ± 2.05, 53.86 ± 4.66, and 39.39 ± 0.63 respectively.…”

Investigation of the mechanism of Prunella vulgaris in treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma based on network pharmacology integrated molecular docking and experimental verification

“…[9][10][11][12] PV mainly contains terpenoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, sterols, coumarins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and volatile oils. [10] Modern pharmacological studies have shown that its extracts have a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidation, regulating immune function, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and regulating the microenvironment of tumor metastasis. [10,11] With the extensive clinical application of PV, the experimental research of PV has gradually deepened, and its pharmacological effects and molecular mechanism of action are gradually clear.…”

“…[8] Therefore, PV is also commonly used in clinical treatment of thyroid cancer, breast cancer, liver injury, hypertension, hyperglycemia, prostate diseases, and other diseases. [9][10][11][12] PV mainly contains terpenoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, sterols, coumarins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and volatile oils. [10] Modern pharmacological studies have shown that its extracts have a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidation, regulating immune function, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and regulating the microenvironment of tumor metastasis.…”

“…[10] Modern pharmacological studies have shown that its extracts have a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidation, regulating immune function, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and regulating the microenvironment of tumor metastasis. [10,11] With the extensive clinical application of PV , the experimental research of PV has gradually deepened, and its pharmacological effects and molecular mechanism of action are gradually clear. However, the active ingredients contained in PV are relatively complex, and its main medicinal substances and pharmacological mechanism are still unclear.…”

“…[8] Therefore, PV is also commonly used in clinical treatment of thyroid cancer, breast cancer, liver injury, hypertension, hyperglycemia, prostate diseases, and other diseases. [9–12]…”