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Isolation of the Uterotonic Principle from Leonurus Artemisia , the Chinese Motherwort

1976; World Scientific; Volume: 04; Issue: 04 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1142/s0192415x76000470

1793-6853

Yao Kong, H.W. Yeung, Y. M. Cheung, M. Phil, J. C. Hwang, Y. W. Chan, Yin‐kum Law, Kam K.H. Ng, Chok Hang Yeung,

Herbal Medicine Research Studies

A search in ancient Chinese medicinal literature and modern phytochemical reference indicates that the therapeutic value of Leonurus artemisia (I-mu ts'ao, the Chinese motherwort) might reside in a uterotonic principle present in leaves. Leonurine (4-guanidino-n-butyl syringate) was isolated from fresh and dry leaves of Leonurus artemisia. The uterotonic effect of leonurine was demonstrated in rat uterus in vitro. Results from this study suggest that functional phytochemistry based on ethnobotanical experience could lead to development of new and effective drugs from Chinese medicine.