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Planta Med 2014; 80(07): 525-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368426
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Leonurus cardiaca Herb Extract and Some of its Flavonoids on Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation in the Heart

Jurga Bernatoniene
1   Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Dalia M. Kopustinskiene
1   Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
2   Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Valdas Jakstas
3   Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Daiva Majiene
1   Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
2   Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Rasa Baniene
2   Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
4   Department of Biochemistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Lolita Kuršvietiene
4   Department of Biochemistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Ruta Masteikova
5   University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Brno, Czech Republic
,
Arunas Savickas
1   Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Adolfas Toleikis
2   Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
,
Sonata Trumbeckaite
2   Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
3   Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 November 2013
revised 13 March 2014

accepted 24 March 2014

Publication Date:
19 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities, and is used as a complementary remedy to improve heart function and blood circulation. Since cardiovascular diseases are often associated with an alteration of mitochondria, the main producers of ATP in cardiac muscle cells, the aim of our work was to determine bioactive constituents present in motherwort aerial parts extract in ethanol and investigate their effects on the functions of cardiac mitochondria. Quantitative determination of polyphenols in L. cardiaca herb extract was performed by HPLC. Mitochondrial respiration rates were evaluated using a Clark-type oxygen electrode. Mitochondrial ROS generation was determined fluorimetrically with Amplex Red and horseradish peroxidase. The results showed that constituents (chlorogenic acid, orientin, quercetin, hyperoside, and rutin) of L. cardiaca herb extract uncouple (by 20–90 %) mitochondrial oxidation from phosphorylation, partially inhibit (by ~ 40 %) the mitochondrial respiratory chain in cases of pyruvate and malate as well as succinate oxidation, and effectively attenuate the generation of free radicals in mitochondria. Since partial uncoupling of mitochondria, respiratory inhibition, and decreased ROS production are proposed as possible mechanisms of cardioprotection, our results imply that L. cardiaca herb extract could be a useful remedy to protect cardiac muscles from the effects of pathogenic processes.

Key words

Leonurus cardiaca - Lamiaceae - flavonoid - polyphenol - oxidative phosphorylation - cardiac mitochondria

Supporting Information

 

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