Leonurus sibiricus L. (honeyweed): A review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology

Abstract Leonurus sibiricus is a herbaceous plant found in many countries in Asia and America. This plant is widely practiced as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes, menstrual irregularities, and bronchitis. The approval of therapeutic implications of any drugs depends on the well characterized mode of actions of the compounds. The bioactive compounds like diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids and phenolic acids in Leonurus sibiricus show analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-atherogenic and anti-hemorrhagic, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and allelopathic potency. Interestingly, the expression level of some genes is altered by the crude extract treatments, which are effective against cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases where the molecular mechanisms are yet to be explored. Intriguingly, the extracts significantly induce nitric oxide production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase, a signaling molecule of vasodilation in combination with interferon-γ indicating positive effect on atherosclerosis. Further investigations are required to unlock the effects of bioactive compounds found in extracts at clinical settings.