• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 2006

We examined the inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidase (MAO) of Prunella vulgaris in vitro and in vivo methods. Methanolic extract of P. vulgaris showed significantly Inhibitorγ activities on MAO-A and MAO-B that were prepared from rat brain and liver in vitro. The inhibitory activities were measured by serotonin and benzylamine as substrates, respectively. MAO-A and MAO-B activities were potently inhibited by ethylacetate extracts of P. vulgaris in vitro tests. It was observed that those activities in vivo tests have different tendency each other. MAO-A activity was increased by the oral administration of methanolic extract of P. vulgaris while MAO-B activity was decreased. Consequently, we suggest that P. vulgaris may have the effects on the inhibitory activities against MAO both in vitro and in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.201-219
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• 2007

Objectives : We studied Effects of Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.), Gamgook(chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Galgeun(pueraria Radix) aqua-acupuncture on the hyperlipidemic rat. methods : We investigated lowering lipid effect, oxidative capacity, concentration of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, Leptin and histological consideration in hyperlipidemic rat. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 5 groups of control, Ⅰ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Gokji aqua-acupuncture, Ⅱ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture, Ⅲ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix)and Gokji aqua-acupuncture and Ⅳ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture. Results : Contents of plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, contents of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and leptin, Plasma triglyceride and glucose, plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, liver total cholesterol, liver triglyceride, plasma and liver TBARS, free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the aqua-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. The activities of GOT and GPT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. Values of super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the aqua-acupuncture groups. Histological consideration of heart, kidney and liver in the aqua-acupuncture groups showed slight vasodilation and fat accumulation compared to those of normal rat. Conclusions : These results indicated that prunella vulgaris L., chrysanthemum indicum L. and pueraria Radix aqua-acupuncture at gokji(LI11) and Joksamri(ST36) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system in hyperlipidemic rat.