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The organic fraction (OF; 25.7% w/w of rosmarinic acid) of Prunella vulgaris (total extract) was found to exhibit the following: scavenging activity on diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), inhibition of in vitro human LDL Cu(II)-mediated oxidation, protection of rat mitochondria and rat hepatocytes exposed to either tert-butyl hydroperoxide, or to Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions. OF also showed a potential to inhibit rat erythrocyte haemolysis and it reduced the production of LTB(4) in bovine PMNL generated by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Other observations included antiproliferative effects against HaCaT cells and mouse epidermal fibroblasts and a moderate OF antimicrobial activity on gram-positive bacteria. Rosmarinic, caffeic and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acids exhibited less potent activity than the plant extract in all bioassays. The antioxidative, antimicrobial, together with antiviral effects offer good prospects for the medicinal applications of P. vulgaris.

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The neonatal rat cardiomyocyte model enables heart researchers to study and understand the morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart. This model offers a broad spectrum of experiments, such as studies of contraction, ischaemia, hypoxia and the toxicity of various compounds. This review examines the methodology for the isolation and cultivation of primary neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cultures, considers possible problems and pitfalls, and presents an optimized protocol for cardiomyocyte preparation.

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