• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the anti-tumor metastasis by immunomodulating effects of extracts of Prunellae Spica. Methods: Antimetastatic experiment was conducted in vivo by using colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma. And we observed cytotoxicity of Prunellae Spica on colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, L5178Y-R lymphoma cell, hela cell and macrophage. To observe the immnomodulating effects of Prunellae Spica, we estimated IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$ from peritoneal macrophages. And we evaluated the activation of NK cell by using anti-asialo-GM1 serum. Results: We found that the administration of Prunellae Spica extracts significantly inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, cell growth are closer to 100% in case of colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, L5178Y-R lymphoma cell, hela cell at low concentration. In case of macrophage, cell proliferation is closer to 100% less than $62.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Prunellae Spica extracts. The level of cytokine such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 which stimulates Prunellae Spica extracts was increased in dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. TNF-${\alpha}$ is hardly secreted less than $250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ The depletion of NK cells by anti-asialo GM1 serum partly abolished the inhibitory effect of Prunellae Spica on tumor metastasis. Conclusion: Prunellae Spica appears to have considerable activity on the anti-metastasis by activation the immune system such as macrophage and NK cell.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.293-296
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• 2003

Prunellae Spica is a flower petal of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina used for treatment of lymphoma, breast cancer, hepatitis and pathological fluid related diseases in oriental medicine. We tried to evaluate the mechanism of Prunellae Spica in the treatment of cancer. The ethyl acetate layer of Prunellae Spica showed a good cytotoxicity on U937 cells with IC50 of 8 ug/ml. It induced apoptosis in U937 dose-dependently by cell cycle analysis following PI staining. We also confirmed it induced DNA fragmentation in U937 cells from the concentration of 10 ug/ml. From western blot assay we observed the ethyl acetate layer of Prunellae Spica downregulated procaspase-3 and cleaved PARP in a dose dependent manner, whereas it didn't affect bax and bcl-2. Taken together, these results indicate the ethyl acetate layer of Prunellae Spica can induce apoptosis in U937 cells suggesting it can be potently applied to cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.175-190
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of heat-clearing medicinal on common bacterias in gynecology. Methods : The heat-clearing medicinals ( Trichosanthis Radix, Sophorae Fructus, Phragmitis Rhizoma, Buddleiae Flos, Bambusae Folium, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Celosiae Semen, Gardeniae Fructus, Prunellae Spica, Sophorae Radix, Dictamni Radicis Cortex, Coptidis Rhizoma, Gentianae Scabrae Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Phellodendri Cortex) were used in this study. Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were used for vaginal pathogenic microorganisms. Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli HB101, Lactobacillus gasseri were used for normal vaginal florae. We evaluated antibiotic effect by the optical density and the colony test. Results : The optical density and colony test showed that Celosiae Semen, Prunellae Spica, Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Cortex of herbs among heat-clearing medicinal had antimircobial effect. Celosiae Semen and Prunellae Spica had antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity in MRSA. Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Cortex had antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity in Gardnerella vaginalis. Conclusion : According to the above results, we could suggest that Celosiae Semen, Prunellae Spica, Scutellariae Radix and Phellodendri Cortex among heat-clearing medicinal be available to antimicrobial agent of vaginal pathogenic microbial species in vitro.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2016

Prunellae Spica, the herbaceous plant in the genus Prunella, is a traditional herbal medicine and has been reported to have diuretic, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action was not clearly identified. In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Prunellae Spica extract (PSE) against the damage of mitochondria and death in hepatocyte induced by oxidative stress. Treatment of arachidonic acid (AA)+iron significantly induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hepatocytes. However, PSE protected cells and inhibited apoptosis by altering the protein levels such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and pro-caspase 3. Moreover, AA+iron induced reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction, and Both of them were inhibited by PSE treatment. PSE markedly activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important regulator in cell survival. Furthermore, this activation by PSE was mediated with liver kinase B1, a major upstream kinase that phosphorylates Thr 172 of AMPKα, and this activation was associated with its cell protection, as assessed by an experiment of a chemical inhibitor. In conclusion, this study demonstrate that PSE protects hepatocytes against oxidative stress as mediated with activation of LKB1-dependent AMPK pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.43-57
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• 1997

It was claimed that the herbal medicine with the function of strengthening the body resistance exerts to enhance the immunity. And the medicine with the effect of eliminating the pathogenic factor is stated to inhibit the immune response. To evaluate the the effects of the herbal medicine on the immune response, the mice were administrated with the herbal medicine for 2 weeks. And the responses were analyzed. As the result, water extract of Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Semen Coicis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae, and Radix Sophorae increased the ROI production, while Radix Tripterygia inhibited it. Phagocytic activity was increased after administration of Radix Astragal, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae and Radix Sophorae. NK cell activity was also significantly inhibited by Radix Tripterygia. Administration of Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae and Semen Coicis enhanced the antibodies(hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen, while Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia decreased it. Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia also decreased the allogenic immune response and mixed-lymphocyte reaction. And all the experimental herbs decreased contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. These results show Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Spica Prunellae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Semen Coicis and Herba Ecliptae enhanced innate immunity, humoral and cellular immune responses. However Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia exert imunosuppressive action. Also these results indicate that the medicine with the action of the strengthening the body resistance enhances the immunity. And the the some of drugs belonging to the eliminating the pathogenic factor also increase the immune responses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.599-607
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• 2009

Prunellae Spica is the spike or whole plant of Prunella vulgaris Linne, which has been used for clearing heat from the liver, brightening the eyes and treating headache in traditional oriental medicines. This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the aqueous extract of Prunellae Spica (PSE; PS extract) on the production of NO and PGE2 in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and all three doses of PS extract (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity during the entire experimental period. The cells were treated with 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LPS 1 h before adding PS extract, and increased NO and PGE2 production were detected in LPS-activated cells compared to control. However, these increases were dose-dependently attenuated by treatment with PS extract. The inhibition of NO by PS extract was due to the suppression of iNOS expression via inhibition of $NF{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and proteolytic degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. The decreased level of PGE2 was derived from inhibition of COX-2 activity, but expression of COX-2 protein was not affected by PS extract. Moreover, PS extract reduced the elevated production of IL-${\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. These results demonstrate that PS extract has inhibitory effects on the production of NO and PGE2 as a consequence of the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-${\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.245-258
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• 2008

Five triterpenic acids as marker compounds were extracted and isolated from Prunellae Spica by column chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their purity was determinated by HPLC (purity ${\geq}90%$). Molecular weight and elemental compositions of the five marker compounds were determined by fast atom bombardment high-resolution mass spectrometry (FAB-HRMS). The structural determination of the five marker compounds was carried out fast atom bombardment collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-CID-MS/MS). The collision-induced dissociation (CID) of protonated molecules $[M+H]^+$ and deprotonated molecules $[M-H]^-$ produced diverse product ions due mainly to retro Diels-Alder reaction (RDA), dehydration and decarboxylation. Moreover, the CID-MS/MS spectra of the $[M-H]^-$ ions were observed charge-remote fragmentation (CRF) patterns. On the basis of interpretation of CID-MS/MS spectra, structural elucidation of triterpenic acids isolated from Prunellae Spica was clearly performed.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.4 s.127
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• pp.269-273
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• 2001

Ethanol extracts from Xanthii Fructus (XFE) and Prunellae Spica (PSE) were investigated for the effects on the induction of cancer chemoprevention-associated enzymes. The following effects were measured: (a) induction of quinone reductase (QR) (b) induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) (c) reduced glutathione (GSH) level. XFE and PSE were potent inducers of quinone reductase activity in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells. Glutathione levels were increased with XFE and PSE. In addition, glutathione S-transferase activity was increased with XFE. However, GST activity was not increased with PSE. These results suggest that XFE and PSE have chemopreventive potentials by inducing quinone reductase and increasing GSH levels.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.91-100
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Prunellae Spica Water Extract(PSE) on immune response in macrophage cells. Methods: We had devided two group the one is normal group; not treated with PSE, and the other is experimental group; treated with PSE. We measured the cell viability of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells and investigated production of nitric oxide(NO) and cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ with sample PSE. Results: 1. Cell viability of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly decreased in both 24 hr and 48 hr incubation. 2. NO production of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly increased in both 24 hr and 48 hr incubation. 3. IL-$1{\beta}$ production of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly increased under concentration over $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in 24 hr incubation. 4. IL-6 production of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly increased under concentration over $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in 24 hr incubation. 5. TNF-$\alpha$ production of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly increased under concentration over $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in 24 hr incubation. Conclusion: NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ production of PSE on RAW 264.7 cells was significantly increased. This study suggest that PSE stimulates the macrophage and enhances the immune response.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.242-251
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• 2004

In this piece of research, Prunellae spica is added to Sambonggangyongbaneotang for one group and Trionycis carapax is added to Sambonggangyongbaneotang for the other group. With these two different prescriptions, the degrees of tumor suppression are compared to develop a better prescription. SKH = Sambonggangyongbaneo-tang + Prunellae Spica SKB = Sambonggangyongbaneo-tang + Trionycis Carapax The results were as follows: 1. SKH and SKB demonstrated anti-tumor effects against tumor advancement of S-180 2. SKH and SKB showed on elevation of macrophage for tumor-bearing mice. 3. $100{\mu}g/ml,\;500{\mu}g/ml$ of SKH and $500{\mu}g/ml$ of SKB demonstrated a rise in alkaline phosphates of B-Lymphocyte in the spleen in tumor-bearing mice. Results support a role for both SKH and SKB for anti-tumor effects via endorsement of macrophage and encouragement of B-lymphocyte toward S-180.