Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Leonurus japonicus ( L. japonicus ) is a herbaceous flowering plant, widely distributed in Asia. Drought is one of the primary environmental stress factors affecting L. japonicus growth. Previous studies have demonstrated that WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in plant responses to drought stress. So far, there has been no research on the function of WRKY genes in L. japonicus . Results The physiological experiment results showed that drought stress significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content of L. japonicus . Transcriptome analysis revealed significant changes in the expression levels of the WRKY gene family. Based on bioinformatics analysis, 67 WRKY genes ( LjWRKYs ) were identified in the genome of L. japonicus , with amino acid lengths ranging from 85 to 574. The LjWRKYs can be divided into three subfamilies. Among them, the expression of LjWRKY (1/4/23/44) were significantly up-regulated under drought stress, whereas the expression of LjWRKY (21/25/65) were significantly down-regulated. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that after drought stress, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites pathway. In the MAPK pathway, there were 19 DEGs, 9 of which contained W-box regions, suggesting that they may be potential regulatory targets of LjWRKY TFs under drought stress. Conclusion These findings suggested that WRKY gene family may participate in the response to drought stress in L. japonicus . This study provides a scientific basis for the further development and functional validation of the WRKY gene family in L. japonicus. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. ( L. japonicus ), as an important plant resource with both ornamental and medicinal value, has now spread worldwide and is widely studied. Currently, its chromosomal genome and chloroplast genome (cpDNA) have been reported, but the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has not yet been explored. In this study, we extracted DNA from fresh leaves of L. japonicus and performed sequencing and assembly of its mtDNA using both second-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies. The complete mtDNA of L. japonicus is 382,905 bp in length, with a GC content of 45.13%. This genome includes 15 tRNA genes, 32 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 4 rRNA genes. In this mtDNA genome, we predicted a total of 480 RNA editing sites among the 32 PCGs. Subsequently, we conducted analyses on repetitive sequences, organelle genome sequence migration, and Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU). There are 28 homologous sequence fragments between the mtDNA and cpDNA of L. japonicus , which are related to the migration of 10 mtDNA genes. The RSCU analysis predicted 28 high-frequency codons, most of which prefer to end with A/U. Selection pressure analysis indicated that the Ka/Ks ratio for the majority of PCGs is less than 1, suggesting they are highly conserved during evolutionary processes. Phylogenetic results from 24 species indicate that the genera Leonurus and Scutellaria within the Lamiaceae family have the closest relationships. In summary, we have successfully assembled the complete mtDNA of L. japonicus by integrating second-generation and third-generation sequencing data for the first time. Subsequent multi-faceted analyses have allowed us to gain deeper insights into the numerous features of this genome, providing important reference data for the molecular genetics, dynamic evolution, and species identification of this plant. This work promotes the conservation and development of this important resource of medicinal and edible plants.

The increased global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in recent years has caused a substantial public health burden. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 and Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJH) extracts can alleviate respiratory symptoms and improve lung function in vitro and in vivo. However, the clinical efficacy and safety profile of this combination in patients with respiratory diseases remain unclear. Therefore, this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of L. plantarum KC3 and LJH extracts in adults with respiratory discomfort. This mixture was termed ‘CKDB-315’. Participants, randomly assigned to the CKDB-315 or placebo groups, were treated for 12 weeks. Assessments included the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT). The CKDB-315 group showed considerably improved SGRQ and CAT scores compared with the placebo group. Secondary outcomes, including dyspnea, pulmonary function, total antioxidant status, and inflammatory cytokine levels, were consistent with the primary outcomes. Exploratory analyses of the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid contents revealed the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of CKDB-315. Finally, safety analysis indicated that CKDB-315 was well tolerated and caused few adverse events. Our findings indicate that CKDB-315 is a promising therapeutic option for respiratory discomfort in adults.

BackgroundLeonurus japonicus Houtt. (Lamiaceae) has traditionally been used to treat respiratory disorders, including cough and dyspnea. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of a standardized hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of L. japonicus in an in vivo model of allergic asthma.MethodsBalb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and then treated intraperitoneally with L. japonicus (at doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg), dexamethasone (at a dose of 2 mg/kg), or saline for seven consecutive days during intranasal OVA challenges. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, lung cytokine levels (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ), inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), lung inflammation, and mucus production were evaluated. The chemical profile of the extract was determined by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).ResultsLeonurus japonicus significantly reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil infiltration, peribronchial inflammation and mucus secretion at all tested doses. The 200 mg/kg dose reduced IL-4 and IL-10 levels, and the 400 mg/kg dose decreased IL-5 and IL-10 levels. Isoquercitrin was identified as the major constituent of the extract.ConclusionThese findings support the traditional use of L. japonicus and suggest its potential as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent for treating allergic asthma.

Chinese motherwort ( Leonurus japonicus ), a member of Lamiaceae family, is a commonly used medicinal herb for treating obstetrical and gynecological diseases, producing over 280 officinal natural products. Due to limited genomic resources, little progress has been made in deciphering the biosynthetic pathway of valuable natural products in L. japonicus . Here, we de novo assembled the L. japonicus genome using high-coverage ONT long reads and Hi-C reads. The chromosome-level genome assembly contained ten chromosomes representing 99.29% of 489.34 Mb genomic sequence with a contig and scaffold N50 of 7.27 Mb and 50.86 Mb, respectively. Genome validations revealed BUSCO and LAI score of 99.2% and 21.99, respectively, suggesting high quality of genome assembly. Using transcriptomic data from various tissues, 22,531 protein-coding genes were annotated. Phylogenomic analysis of 13 angiosperm plants suggested L. japonicus had 58 expanded gene families functionally enriched in specialized metabolism such as diterpenoid biosynthesis. The genome assembly, annotation, and sequencing data provide resources for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways behind natural products of pharmaceutical applications in L. japonicus .

Leonurus sibiricus L. has great ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal significance. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Leonurus sibiricus L. transgenic roots extracts transformed by Rhizobium rhizogenes, with and without the AtPAP1 transcriptional factor. The study determined the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as in vitro antioxidant assays, including hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity. In addition, in silico computational studies and molecular docking were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the identified compounds. The ligands were docked to NADPH oxidase, cyclooxygenase 2,5-lipoxygenase, inducible nitric synthase and xanthine oxidase: enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 85.3 ± 0.35 to 57.4 ± 0.15 mg/g GAE/g and 25.6 ± 0.42 to 18.2 ± 0.44 mg/g QUE/g in hairy root extracts with and without AtPAP1, respectively. H2O2 scavenging activity (IC50) was found to be 29.3 µg/mL (with AtPAP1) and 37.5 µg/mL (without AtPAP1 transcriptional factor), and NO scavenging activity (IC50) was 48.0 µg/mL (with AtPAP1) and 68.8 µg/mL (without AtPAP1 transcriptional factor). Leonurus sibiricus L. transformed root extracts, both with and without AtPAP1, are a source of phytochemicals belonging to different classes of molecules, such as flavonoids (catechin and rutin), phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid) and phenylpropanoid (verbascoside). Among the radicals formed after H removal from the different -OH positions, the lowest bond dissociation enthalpy was observed for rutin (4′-OH). Rutin was found to bind with cyclooxygenase 2, inducible nitric synthases and xanthine oxidase, whereas chlorogenic acid demonstrated optimal binding with 5-lipoxygenase. Therefore, it appears that the Leonurus sibiricus L. transformed root extract, both with and without the AtPAP1 transcriptional factor, may serve as a potential source of active components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential; however, the extract containing AtPAP1 demonstrates superior activities. These properties could be beneficial for human health.

Background Leonurus japonicus , a significant medicinal plant known for its therapeutic effects on gynecological and cardiovascular diseases, has genetic diversity that forms the basis for germplasm preservation and utilization in medicine. Despite its economic value, limited research has focused on its genetic diversity and divergence. Results The avg. nucleotide diversity of 59 accessions from China were 0.00029 and hotspot regions in petN-psbM and rpl32-trnL (UAG) spacers, which can be used for genotype discrimination. These accessions divided into four clades with significant divergence. The four subclades, which split at approximately 7.36 Ma, were likely influenced by the Hengduan Mountains uplift and global temperature drop. The initial divergence gave rise to Clade D, with a crown age estimated at 4.27 Ma, followed by Clade C, with a crown age estimated at 3.39 Ma. The four clades were not showed a clear spatial distribution. Suitable climatic conditions for the species were identified, including warmest quarter precipitation 433.20 mm ~ 1,524.07 mm, driest month precipitation > 12.06 mm, and coldest month min temp > -4.34 °C. The high suitability distribution showed contraction in LIG to LGM, followed by expansion from LGM to present. The Hengduan Mountains acted as a glacial refuge for the species during climate changes. Conclusions Our findings reflected a clear phylogenetic relationships and divergence within species L. japonicus and the identified hotspot regions could facilitate the genotype discrimination. The divergence time estimation and suitable area simulation revealed evolution dynamics of this species and may propose conservation suggestions and exploitation approaches in the future.

The prospect of creating a new medicine with psychotropic activity is shown as a result of studying the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of modified dry extracts of motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.) tincture. The most promising substances were the dry extracts, modified by adding small amounts of arginine, valine, phenylalanine, glycine, lysine, and alanine. A total of 15 main phenolic substances were found in the extracts, and eight of them were identified. There were also 10 hydroxycinnamic acids in these extracts, three of which were identified (chlorogenic, caffeic, and rosmarinic acids). The dominant hydroxycinnamic acids were chlorogenic and caffeic acids. Among flavonoids, catechin, hyperoside, and rutin were identified. It should be noted that the extracts had a significant content of ellagic acid. On the basis of the results of the phytochemical analysis of the extracts, it can be concluded that the composition of phenolic compounds does not differ significantly, and the main differences are related to amino acids, which obviously have an impact on the overall pharmacological effect. The results obtained indicate the presence of anxiolytic activity in the motherwort extracts studied in complex with amino acids. The extracts with glycine, valine, and arginine were more effective in reducing anxiety in animals.

The genus Leonurus L. is renowned for its diverse secondary metabolites with significant pharmacological value; however, the chemical biodiversity and biological potential of its indigenous members in Türkiye remain largely unexplored. This study investigates four species (L. cardiaca, L. quinquelobatus, L. glaucescens, and L. persicus) to elucidate their phytochemical architecture and therapeutic capacities. Characterization of the ethanol, methanol, and aqueous (5% infusion) extracts via HPLC-MS/MS identified verbascoside, genkwanin, and caffeoylquinic acids as the major representative bioactive constituents across the studied Leonurus species. The extracts exhibited measurable biological activity, with L. cardiaca displaying the highest antioxidant profile (EC50 0.117 ± 0.01 mg/mL for DPPH, 2.731 ± 0.01 mM/Trolox for ABTS), correlating with its phenolic content. Notably, the extracts demonstrated notable anticandidal activity (MIC 0.1–1 mg/mL) and negligible to moderate antibacterial effects, alongside varying levels of susceptibility against breast (MCF7) and glioma (C6) cancer cell lines. These effects showed differentiation in toxicity compared to lung (A549) cells. This investigation provides scientific evidence supporting the traditional medicinal use of Leonurus species while highlighting their potential as standardized sources for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Our results lay a robust foundation for future bioactivity-guided isolation studies to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind their differential biological effects.

Background Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJH) has multiple pharmacological effects. Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of LJH in the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) using network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and in vitro experiments. Methods Herbs for ischemic heart disease were identified with the help of herb-disease databases. The TCMSP database was used to find the potential targets of LJH. Disease targets of MIRI were identified with the help of Disgenet, Genecard, Alliance of Genome Resources databases. The common targets were obtained with the help of VENN diagram, and the common targets were analyzed by GO function and KEEG pathway enrichment to predict the potential mechanism of action of LJH in treating MIRI. With the help of STRING database and Cytoscape software, we constructed a visual protein-protein interaction (PPI) network model to screen the core targets and then docked the core targets with the corresponding ligand molecules. AC16 cells were used to simulate MIRI by glucose-oxygen deprivation, and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining; protein expression was detected by Western blot. Results LJH was one of the herbal remedies for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. LJH had 247 potential targets of action and 26 targets in common with MIRI. These 26 targets were enriched in the TNF signaling pathway and NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and the core targets screened by the PPI results included TNF, VCAM1, and MMP9. Molecular docking results showed that the compounds in LJH docked well with the core target proteins. In vitro experiments showed that LJH could inhibit the elevation of TNF, VCAM1, and MMP9 after MIRI, reduce apoptosis, and inhibit inflammation. Conclusion The mechanism of LJH in the treatment of MIRI was mainly related to the activation of TNF signaling pathway and NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and the regulation of TNF, VCAM1, and MMP9 protein expression.