Chinese motherwort contains a uterotonic principle in its leaves. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Isolation of the uterotonic principle from Leonurus artemisia, the Chinese motherwort.
Am J Chin Med (Gard City N Y). 1976 WINTER;4(4):373-82. PMID: 998557
A search in ancient Chinese medicinal literature and modern phytochemical references 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.