Activating Blood Circulation, Anti‐Inflammatory and Diuretic Effects of Leonurus japonicus Extract on a Rat Model of Trauma Blood Stasis and Its Phytochemical Profiling

Abstract

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. has been traditionally used to treat many ailments. This study evaluated the activating blood circulation, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic effects of L. japonicus extract (LJ) and identified its phytochemicals. In this work, the phytochemicals in LJ were identified using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8): Control group was treated with saline, while the Model group (saline) and LJ group (426 mg/kg) had induced traumatic injury. All rats were treated with once by daily oral gavage for one week. The biochemical indices and protein expression were measured. Herein, 79 constituents were identified in LJ, which were effective in elevating body weight, food consumption, water intake, and urinary excretion volume, as well as in ameliorating traumatic muscle tissues in model rats. In addition, LJ prominently decreased the contents of plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation rate, thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), TXB2/6-ketoprostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), PAI-1/tissue-type PA (t-PA), and PAI-1/u-PA, while significantly increasing antithrombin III, 6-keto-PGF1α, and t-PA contents. Furthermore, LJ notably inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, angiotensin II, antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone, aquaporin 1 (AQP1), AQP2, and AQP3 levels, and markedly elevating IL-10 and natriuretic peptide levels. Finally, LJ markedly reduced the protein expression of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP3 compared to the model group. Collectively, LJ possessed prominent activating blood circulation, antiinflammatory, and diuretic effects, thus supporting the clinical application of L. japonicus.

Preliminary Evaluation of Wound Healing Potential ofLeonurus japonicusHoutt. Extracts

“…Leonurus japonicus is a plant worldwide used by the population to treat different health problems. [14,15,23,26,27] Previous studies of its use as an anti-inflammatory can be found in the scientific literature; [19,28] however, its usage for wound healing is slightly related. [29] In several extracts of Leonurus species, different secondary metabolites are present, the flavonoids being the main metabolites (e. g. flavonoids such as quercetin and derivatives).…”

“…The wound areas (mm 2 ) were registered on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postoperative days and measured using Image J software. [19] The wound contraction was calculated using equation 01; WAi is the initial wound area, and WAf is the wound area after the postoperative days, respectively.…”

“…[16,17] Also, the aerial parts of the plant are used to treat bruises and other inflammatory conditions. [18][19][20][21] These uses are due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties related to secondary metabolites, like polyphenolic compounds, present in this species and described in some phytochemical studies. [10,22,23] Despite some research describing the anti-inflammatory potential of this vegetal species and identifying the chemical compounds, no study has been published investigating the effect of extracts of L. japonicus on the wound healing process and correlating this effect with the secondary metabolites present in these extracts.…”

“…Other works relate cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and anticancer activity [16,17] . Also, the aerial parts of the plant are used to treat bruises and other inflammatory conditions [18–21] . These uses are due to anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties related to secondary metabolites, like polyphenolic compounds, present in this species and described in some phytochemical studies [10,22,23] …”