Symptom → Plant Sources
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) as a tool for helping with Inflammation (general)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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3 sources supporting Motherwort for Inflammation (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
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 has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity for cardiac and gynecological disorders. Crude and purified extracts were profiled for phenolic and iridoid content and evaluated for antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory (anti-inflammatory-relevant) activities, with purified fractions showing enhanced biological 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.
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.