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Background: Prunella vulgaris L. has been an important medicinal plant for the treatment of thyroid gland malfunction and mastitis in China for over 2000 years. There is an urgent need to select effective wavelengths for greenhouse cultivation of P. vulgaris as light is a very important factor in P. vulgaris growth. Here, we described the effects of natural light (control) and UV solar exclusion on the morphological and physiological traits, secondary metabolites contents and antioxidant activities of P. vulgaris., Results: The results showed that UV solar exclusion resulted in remarkable alterations to morphological and biomass traits; significantly reduced the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents; significantly enhanced the ratio of chlorophyll a to b; and significantly increased the carotenoid and anthocyanin contents in P. vulgaris. UV solar exclusion significantly increased the catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and slightly decreased the glutathione (GSH) content. UV solar exclusion significantly increased the soluble sugar and H 2 O 2 contents and increased the soluble protein content but significantly decreased the proline content and slightly decreased the MDA content. The secondary metabolite contents (total phenolics, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid) and in vitro antioxidative properties (DPPH· and ABTS· + scavenging activities) were significantly increased in P. vulgaris spicas under UV solar exclusion. Additionally, the total polysaccharide and total flavonoids contents were slightly increased by UV solar exclusion. The salviaflaside content was significantly reduced by UV solar exclusion., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that P. vulgaris activates several antioxidant defence systems against oxidative damage caused by UV solar exclusion.

The effects of UV-B radiation on the content of bioactive components and the antioxidant activity of Prunella vulgaris L. spica during development were studied. The experimental design involved two levels of UV-B radiation intensity (0 and 120 μW cm -2 nm -1 ). The results showed that the contents of total flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and hyperoside, as well as the antioxidant capacities (DPPH ● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities), in the spicas significantly decreased during spica development. The content of salviaflaside in the spicas significantly increased during development. The highest contents of total flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid and the highest antioxidant activities were found in spicas in the full-flowering stage, while the highest content of hyperoside was found in spicas in the bud stage. In addition, the highest content of salviaflaside was found in spicas in the mature-fruiting stage. UV-B radiation significantly promoted the synthesis of secondary metabolites, increased the contents of the main bioactive components in the three developmental stages of isolated dried spicas, and significantly increased the DPPH ● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities of P. vulgaris spicas in the mature-fruiting stage. Moreover, the total flavonoids content was positively correlated with the DPPH ● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities, and the correlation with the DPPH ● scavenging activity was very strong. This result shows that the highest contents of the main bioactive components in the spicas were not all found in the same developmental stages of P. vulgaris . Our research revealed that the best stage for harvesting P. vulgaris spica was between the bud stage and the full-flowering stage since harvesting at this point provides a higher content of bioactive components and a higher antioxidant capacity, which is relevant for medicinal applications.

Background: Prunella vulgaris L. is a medical plant cultivated in sloping, sun-shaded areas in China. Recently, owing to air-environmental stress, especially drought stress strongly inhibits plant growth and development, the appropriate fertilizer supply can alleviate these effects. However, these is little information about their effects on P. vulgaris growing in arid and semi-arid areas with limited water and fertilizer supply., Results: In this study, water stress decreased the photosynthetic pigment contents, inhibited photosynthetic efficiency, induced photodamage in photosystem 2 (PS2), and decreased leaf instantaneous WUE (WUEi). The decreased net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under medium drought stress compared with the control might result from stomatal limitations. However, fertilizer supply improved photosynthetic capacity by increasing the photosynthetic pigment contents and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency under water deficit. Moreover, medium fertilization also increased WUEi under the two water conditions, but fertilizer supply did little to alleviate the PS2 photodamage caused by drought stress. Hence, drought stress was the primary limitation in the photosynthetic process of P. vulgaris seedlings, while the photosynthetic characteristics of the seedlings exhibited positive responses to fertilizer supply., Conclusions: Appropriate fertilizer supply is recommended to improve photosynthetic efficiency, enhance WUEi and alleviate photodamage under drought stress.

Prunella vulgaris L. is an important medicinal plant with a variety of pharmacological activities, but limited information is available about its response to potassium chloride (KCl) supplementation. P. vulgaris seedlings were cultured in media with four different KCl levels (0, 1.00, 6.00 and 40.00 mM). Characteristics relating to the growth, foliar potassium, water and chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration, nitrogen metabolism, bioactive constituent concentrations and yield were determined after three months. The appropriate KCl concentration was 6.00 mM to result in the highest values for dry weight, shoot height, spica and root weight, spica length and number in P. vulgaris. The optimum KCl concentration resulted in a maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pn) that could be associated with the highest chlorophyll content and fully open stomata conductance. A supply of surplus KCl resulted in a higher concentration of foliar potassium and negatively correlated with the biomass. Plants that were treated with the appropriate KCl level showed a greater capacity for nitrate assimilation. The Pn was significantly and positively correlated with nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities and was positively correlated with leaf-soluble protein and free amino acid (FAA) contents. Both KCl starvation (0 mM) and high KCl (40.00 mM) led to water loss through a high transpiration rate and low water absorption, respectively, and resulted in increased concentrations of ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA) and flavonoids, with the exception of rosmarinic acid (RA). Moreover, the optimum concentration of KCl significantly increased the yields of RA, UA, OA and flavonoids. Our findings suggested that significantly higher plant biomass; chlorophyll content; Pn; stronger nitrogen anabolism; lower RA, UA, OA and flavonoid accumulation; and greater RA, UA, OA and flavonoid yields in P. vulgaris could be expected in the presence of the appropriate KCl concentration (6.00 mM).

Context: Prunella vulgaris L. (Labiatae) is a perennial plant common in China and Europe and is rich in rosmarinic acid (RA), ursolic acid (UA), and oleanolic acid (OA). The dried spica of P. vulgaris has been used as traditional medicine in China for over a hundred years. To our best knowledge, no study has been conducted to determine the influence of harvesting time on concentrations of bioactive compounds of P. vulgaris., Objective: In the current study, changes in the bioactive compounds present in spicas were investigated at five harvest times over 2 months., Materials and Methods: Plant material were collected at five fixed dates: 5th May, 20th May, 7th June, 15th June, and 25th June and assayed for chemical contents by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)., Results: Among the different harvest times, the highest levels of RA (56.81 mg·g⁻¹), UA (2.77 mg·g⁻¹), and OA (0.91 mg·g⁻¹) were found on 5th May, whereas the lowest levels of RA (1.66 mg·g⁻¹), UA (2.27 mg·g⁻¹), and OA (0.43 mg·g⁻¹) were observed on 25th June., Discussion and Conclusion: As each medicinal product has its own content requirement for different bioactive components, the optimum harvest time might be determined according to the accumulation dynamics of target compound in dried spicas of P. vulgaris. These results may be useful for determining the optimal harvest time when bioactive components are at the maximum level, which is in early May.

Objective: To investigate the influence of storage period and grading standards on the quality of Prunella vulgaris in order to provide a theoretical basis for standardized cultivation., Method: The spices of P. vulgaris in different storage period (including current year, first-year and second-year) were collected from Lujiang base in Anhui Province. The samples were randomized, with the methods of morphologic characteristics and commercial size on P. vulgaris, the samples were graded into three grades; according to the methods from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, water-soluble extracts, ethanol-soluble extracts, total ash and acid insoluble ash were measured, respectively, utilizing the UV spectrophotometry to detection the contents of total flavonoids and polysaccharides, the levels of ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and rosmarinic acid were adopted by HPLC., Result: The total ash and acid insoluble ash of P. vulgaris showed significantly increase during prolonged storage; however, the content of water-soluble extracts, ethanol-soluble, total flavonoids, polysaccharides, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid,rosmarinic acid showed significantly decrease during prolonged storage. The spica of P. vulgaris exhibited no rules differences between the quality and grading standards, The second-degree belongs to high content of total flavonoids; the high content of polysaccharides was first-degree; the total ash and acid insoluble ash of spicas exhibited gradually decreased from first-degree to third-grade, and the content of water-soluble extracts, ethanol-soluble extracts,ursolic acid,oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid showed gradually increased from first-degree to third-grade., Conclusion: The current year was a suitable storage time of spicas from P. vulgaris could be selected; and the main bioactive components highest level of P. vulgaris spicas was third-degree, second-grade next, first-degree minimum.

Prunella vulgaris L. (Labiatae) contains a variety of structurally diverse natural products, primarily rosmarinic acid (RA), ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), which possess a wide array of biological properties. In the present study, P. vulgaris was harvested at three developmental stages (vegetative, full-flowering and mature-fruiting stages), dissected into stem and leaf tissues and assayed for chemical contents using high performance liquid chromatography. Significant changes in the concentrations of the major secondary metabolites (RA, UA and OA) were observed at the different development stages. The highest concentrations of RA, UA and OA were found at the full-flowering stage (15.83 mg/g dry weight (DW) RA, 1.77 mg/g DW UA and 0.65 mg/g DW OA). Among the different aerial parts of the plant, the concentrations of RA, UA and OA were higher in the leaves than in the stems at the different developmental stages. These results suggest that the full-flowering stage is characterized by the highest concentrations of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this stage may be the optimum point for harvesting P. vulgaris plants. In additional, the leaves of P. vulgaris demonstrated higher RA, UA and OA concentrations than the stems, suggesting higher utilization potential.

Objective: The accumulation of dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in Prunella vulgaris and their relationships under field condition were studied, in order to provide a basis for the rational fertilization., Method: Through the dynamic sampling of P. vulgaris in different growing stages, and the dry weight of plant, the amount of dry matter and the content of N, P and K within each organ of the plant were measured., Result: The dry weight of P. vulgaris linearly increased with the increase of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation, there existed a significant correlation at whole growth period. The maximum stage accumulation rate of dry matter from mid-April to the beginning of May, reached 63.71%. The amount of dry matter was mainly distribution in leaves from late March to mid-April. The distribution ratio in stem was the highest from beginning of May to late May. Until mid-June, the distribution ratio of dry matter in spicas was higher than that in other organs. The absorption amounts of N, P and K were lower before mid-April, and the nutrient element was concentrated in plant leaves. From late April to beginning of May, the N, P and K accumulation reached maximum of total absorptive capacity, which accounted for 72.35%, 59.82%, 87.41%, respectively, and the mineral elements were concentrated distribution of plant stems. When transferred to reproductive stage, both accumulation amount and distribution rate of nutrient elements in spicas increased rapidly, which reached the maximum until mid-June. From elongation stages to quaring period was the period of maximal accumulation of dry matter and showed the maximal efficiency of N, P and K nutrition., Conclusion: The time from elongation stages to quaring period is the most crucial period in the growth development stage of P. vulgaris, and should be paid more attention to the supply of mineral nutrition and moisture of plant to promote spicas formation and dry matter accumulation in this stage. The average N, P2O5 and K2O absorption amount per 100 kg dry matter of spicas were 1.62, 0.36, 2.88 kg respectively, and the ratio of N-P2O5,-K2O was 1 : 0.22: 1.77.

Objective: The contents of mineral elements in soil and each organ from cultivated and wild Prunella vulgaris were determined in order to provide a theoretical basis for exploitation and protection of wild resources and GAP study., Method: The contents of mineral elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Al) in soil and each organ from cultivated and wild P. vulgaris were determined by ICP-AES, and the results were analyzed by correlation analysis., Result: The contents of mineral elements in soil and different organs of P. vulgaris were significant different between cultivated and wild species; the contents of P and Cu ranked in the order of spica > leaf > stem, the order of Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn, Al from high to low was leaf > spica > stem, the concentrations of K, Na were mainly distributed in leaf and stem, less in spica. A distinctly positive correlation between soil and spica for Fe content, and the relationship between soil and leaf, stem were significant positive correlation, the concentrations of Zn in spica, leaf, stem were positively related to soil, K contents in soil and stem were significant positive correlation. The different organs of cultivated and wild P. vulgaris had a strong tendency to accumulate P., Conclusion: There was no direct relationship between the concentrations of mineral elements in P. vulgaris, and their corresponding soil P. vulgaris adjusts the concentration of mineral elements mainly by active absorption.

Objective: To study the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (K2O) and organic compound fertilizer (OF) on spicas biomass and yield of Prunella vulgaris in order to provide a theoretical basis for good agriculture practice (GAP)., Method: Field plot experiments with a 4-variable quadratic orthogonal rotation combination design were adopted, and a function model of spicas yield in P. vulgaris was established., Result: The model analysis showed that spicas yields of P. vulgaris were significantly influenced under the N, P2O5 and K2O applications, among there factors, N had the greatest effects on spicas yield of P. vulgaris, the next was P2O5 and K2O, OF had the smallest effects on spicas yield. At the lower fertility levels, the spicas yields of P. vulgaris were improved along with the increasing of N, P2O5, K2O and OF applications, but the spicas yields decreased when N, P2O5, K2O and OF were applied too much., Conclusion: In this experiment condition, the spicas yields of P. vulgaris could reach to 722 kg x hm(-2) when the fertilizer rates were N 303. 9-335.1 kg x hm(-2), P2O5 432.5-500.6 kg x hm(-2), K2O 206.6-240.2 kg x hm(-2), OF 2 312.5-2 687.5 kg x hm(-2).

Objective: To investigate the original plant and dietotherapy history of Prunella vulgaris by textual researches, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication, exploitation and protection of wild resources., Method: The ancient literatures in the graphic, geographical distribution and morphological description of P. vulgaris were used in this studied., Result: The varieties of P. vulgaris for therapeutic were no confusion. However, there has existed confusion between P. vulgaris and its confusable species (Ajuga ciliate, A. decumbens and Lagopsis supina) with appellations, morphological description and attached drawing of original plant., Conclusion: The original plant is originated from two species (P. vulgaris, P. asiatica). P. hispida was used as a certified medicinal material in Yunnan province from Ming Dynasty to modern time. The dietotherapy history of P. vulgaris in China can be traced back to Ming Dynasty or before.

Objective: The effects of different nitrogen forms on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Prunella vulgaris were observed., Method: Water culture experiments were carried out to observe the effects of NH4+: NO3- ratios(100:0, 75: 25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100 in mmol x L(-1)) on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of P. vulgaris., Result: The leaf area, fresh biomass and P(n) of these cultivars increased with the increasing of NH4(+) -N: NO3(-) -N ratios, and they were found to be the highest in 25: 75 NH4(+) -N: NO3)-) -N. However, they decreased with the increasing NH4(+) -N: NO3(-) -N ratio further. P. vulgaris had a minimum leaf area, biomass, chlorophyll content and P(n) in pure ammonium group. The biggest chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were found in the ratios of NH4(+) -N to NO3(-) -N of 50: 50., Conclusion: The results indicated that properly increasing nitrate proportion could promote the growth and photosynthesis of P. vulgaris.

Objective: To investigate the herbal medicine of Prunella vulgaris by textual researches, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication, exploitation and protection of wild P. vulgaris resources., Method: Textual research on medicinal works of past dynasties and field work were adopted., Result: The natural distributions of P. vulgaris were concentrated distribution in Sichuan province, Huaihe river basin, and Middle-Lower Yangtze river valley in Chinese history. The indications of P. vulgaris in ancient and modern times were basically identical. While there were difference between the medicinal parts, harvest period and processing methods existed difference between ancient and modern., Conclusion: Three periods that whole grass of P. vulgaris as medicinal parts (from late Ming dynasty to late Qing dynasty and early stage of Republic of China), both whole grass and spicas as medicinal parts (from mid-term Republic of China to 1963), and the semi-maturity or maturity of spicas as medicinal parts (from 1963 to today) existed. The processing method for medicinal parts of P. vulgaris adopted sun drying and shady drying in ancient China, but only the sun drying was only used in modern times.

Objective: To study the correlation among the morphological characteristics and the spica yield of various germplasm of Prunella vulgaris., Method: The various P. vulgaris germplasm from all over the country were investigated by analysis of correlation analysis, path analysis and principle component analysis in a randomized block experiment., Result: The 6 morphological characteristics were greatly different from each other in various germplasm. The spica yield per plant had a very significantly positive correlation with the number of spica per plant and fresh leaves weight per plant, meanwhile the correlation between the spica yield per plant and spica length was very significantly. Three principal components which accounted for 87.533% of total variance were extracted from the principal component analysis., Conclusion: The strong growth potential, the number of spica per plant and spica length were main factors for the selection of high yield breeding of P. vulgaris.

Objective: To explore an effective way to increase drought tolerance of Prunella vulgaris seed., Method: The treatment of drought stress to P. vulgaris seeds was made by the different concentrations of PEG solutions. Primed seeds germinated under 25% PEG., Result: As concentrations of PEG increasing, seed germination percentage, germination index and vitality index reduced. Primed with 20%-25% PEG, 300-500 mg x L(-1) GA3 and 1.6%-2.0% KNO3-KH2PO4 could enhance three population seeds germination index and vitality index under drought stress. Treated with NaCl, seeds germination percentage and germination index of two population increased, which came from Nanjing Zijinshan and Anhui Jinzhai, respectively, while those of seeds from Gansu Chengxian reduced., Conclusion: Treated with PEG, GA3, KNO3-KH2 PO4 under proper concentration, seed vigor, seed resistance under drought stress would increase.

Objective: To study seed quality test, and establish seed quality classification standard of Prunella vulgaris., Method: The seed quality and planting quality of P. vulgaris from different population were measured and these indexes were analyzed by K-clustering., Result and Conclusion: The seed purity, 1000 seeds weight, seed moisture content, seed viability of the seed of P. vulgaris from different population were measured, and the seed quality classification standard of P. vulgaris.