Bioscience Evidence 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 280-290 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 281 This review mainly aims to systematically sort out how these active components in Leonurus japonicus (such as leonurine, tribulus terline, flavonoids, diterpenoids, etc.) accumulate under different physiological and ecological conditions. The key contents include their metabolic pathways, key enzymes and genes, environmental regulatory factors, and related molecular regulatory networks. This review covers multi-omics studies such as genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics, the distribution of components in different organs and origins, as well as the influence of environmental factors such as climate and soil pH on component synthesis. At the same time, the latest research progress of related metabolic pathways was also introduced, hoping to provide a theoretical basis and new ideas for improving the quality of Leonurus japonicus medicinal materials, molecular breeding and new drug development. 2 Overview of Active Ingredients inLeonurus japonicus 2.1 Chemical category and biosynthetic sources More than 140 components have been isolated fromLeonurus japonicus. Including alkaloids (such as leonurine, stachydrine, trigonelline), diterpenoids (mainly labdane type), flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, etc. (Zhao et al., 2022). Among them, alkaloids and diterpenoids are the most typical and extensively studied type of components (Miao et al., 2019). Among alkaloids, leonurine is the most representative one, and it has a rather unique synthetic route. The latest multi-omics research shows that this route requires enzymes such as arginine decarboxylase (ADC), UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT), and SCPL acyltransferase to be completed, and the evolution of these gene clusters enables leonurine to accumulate more specifically in plants (Li et al., 2023) (Figure 1). Tribulus terrestris and trihydroxy alkaloids are equally common and can be detected in different parts of plants (Zhang et al., 2021; 2025). Among diterpenoids, Labdane-type structures are relatively common, such as furanolabdane, lactonelabdane, seco-labdane, etc. (Zhang et al., 2020; Cao et al., 2023; Wei et al., 2023). These diterpenoids are mainly synthesized through the MEP pathway and often accumulate in the aboveground parts of plants, especially in glandular hairs (Xiao et al., 2017). Flavonoids (such as quercetin, kaempferol) and lignans (such as some sesquineolignan glycosides and tetrahydrofuran lignans) can also be found in Leonurus japonicus, and they usually have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other effects (Tian et al., 2021; Bu et al., 2024). Motherwort polysaccharides are mainly composed of glucose, fucose, mannose, etc., and exhibit antioxidant and melanin-inhibiting activities (Zhang et al., 2023). Phenolic acids such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid also have certain pharmacological effects (Tan et al., 2020). 2.2 Biological activity and pharmacological correlation These active components of Leonurus japonicus can play multiple roles in the body and also form the basis for it to be used as a medicinal material. In terms of alkaloids, Leonuronine can regulate menstruation, promote blood circulation, and has effects such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, antioxidation, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Tribulus terrestris also has cardiovascular protective and anti-tumor effects and can affect uterine function. Trihydroxy bases can inhibit mast cell activation and relieve asthma and inflammation (Zhang et al., 2021). Diterpenoid components usually have functions such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, anti-thrombosis and neuroprotection. Some of these components exert their effects by inhibiting signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK (Wei et al., 2023). Flavonoids and lignans also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver-protective effects. Leonurus japonicus polysaccharides exhibit antioxidant, melanin-inhibiting and cytoprotective effects. 2.3 Tissue and developmental distribution The distribution of the active ingredients of motherwort varies in different tissues and at different developmental stages. In terms of tissue distribution, diterpenoids mainly accumulate in the aboveground parts, especially in glandular hair structures (Xiao et al., 2017). Alkaloids such as leonurine and tribulus terrestris are present in stems, leaves and flowers, but the content varies depending on the part. Lignans are more frequently found in fruits (Tian
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