Substitutability of Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear based on HPLC-ESI-MSn analysis and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical composition and therapeutic effect between Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear, thus to provide evidence for judging whether the stem leaf of Prunella vulgaris L can substitute the ear as an herbal medicine. METHODS: Aqueous extracts of the stem leaf and ear of Prunella vulgaris L from different producing areas were analyzed with HPLC-ESI-MSn. The anti-inflammatory effects were observed by inflammatory models of ear edema induced by dimethylbenzene in mice and hind paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the plasma level of TNF-α and antioxidant activities were detected by ABTS method. RESULTS: Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear were not significantly different in chemical composition, both of which contained mainly triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and other substances. Compared with the model group, Prunella vulgaris L ear significantly reduced the hind paw edema in rats induced by carrageenan from 1 h after oral administration (P<0.05), while the onset time of stem leaf was later than 1 h.Both groups could significantly reduce the ear edema in mice induced by dimethylbenzene(P<0.01). The TNF-α levels in the Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear groups [(24.16±1.24) and (24.33±2.36 )ng·mL-1] were lower than that in the model group [(31.34±1.94) ng·mL-1] (P<0.01).Prunella vulgarisL stem leaf and ear groups showed strong antioxidant activities in the ABTS·+ scavenging test. CONCLUSION: The contents of the main constituents in Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear have significance differences.The RESULTS of animal tests indicate that the aqueous extracts of Prunella vulgaris L stem leaf and ear have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.