Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) as a tool for helping with Cardiovascular / heart health

Leonurus cardiaca is known in Europe for its cardioactivity, also in relation to metabolic-syndrome risk factors. Phenolic and iridoid glycosides were isolated, including a novel phenylethanoid (cardiaphenyloside A), and tested on PPAR alpha, delta and gamma subtypes, identifying constituents that modulate the PPAR system relevant to anti-inflammatory and metabolic activity.

Leonurus cardiaca extract was studied for its potential to prevent staphylococcal infective endocarditis using in vitro and ex vivo models. The extract reduced Staphylococcus aureus adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence on heart-valve models, supporting a cardioprotective/anti-infective use of motherwort.

Leonurine is a pharmacologically active guanidine alkaloid exerting cardiovascular, hypotensive, uterotonic and neuroprotective effects. A novel HPLC method quantified leonurine in Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus japonicus and Leonotis leonurus, informing the cardioactive use of motherwort.

Leonurus cardiaca (motherwort) is a perennial herb native to Asia and southeastern Europe, historically used as a cardiotonic and for treating gynaecological afflictions such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menopausal anxiety and postpartum depression. This review updates the European Medicines Agency assessment report on motherwort herb, presenting progress made in 2010-2018 on the potential applications and scientific evidence supporting its traditional use.

Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial plant indigenous to central Europe and Scandinavia, used in traditional medicine for cardiac and nervous complaints. This review summarises its phytochemistry (iridoids, diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids such as stachydrine and leonurine) and pharmacology, including cardioprotective, antioxidant, hypotensive and sedative activities.