Computational Molecular Biology 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 84-90 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/cmb 85 In addition to Leonurine, quercetin, an important compound, was also discovered in the research. Its synthesis process is rather complex, requires the participation of nitrogen, and is easily affected by external conditions, such as the pH of the solution (Zhang et al., 2022). The discovery of these components is inseparable from the support of modern analytical methods. For instance, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP®/MS²) has been employed to detect various alkaloids within mothergrass. With this technology, not only can the contents of Leonurine and quercetin be accurately determined, but also the differences in plants from different parts or different origins can be compared, thereby revealing the influence of environmental and biological factors on the component levels (Tan et al., 2020). 2.2 Medicinal properties and biological activities of key alkaloids in Leonurus japonicus In the efficacy of Leonurus japonicus, Leonurine plays a core role. It has a wide range of activities and can regulate physiological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, fibrosis and apoptosis. Therefore, it is considered to have potential therapeutic effects on many types of diseases (Li et al., 2019b). Meanwhile, extracts containing Leonurine also exhibit good antioxidant and melanin-inhibiting effects, which help reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibit pigmentation, presenting application prospects in the research of skin-related diseases. As for quercetin, its functions are not limited to human medicinal effects; it is also directly related to the health and growth of plants themselves. In an alkaline environment, the synthesis of quercetin is more active because it is more conducive to the nitrogen addition reaction at this time. By promoting the growth and yield of motherwort, it indirectly increases the content of plant pharmacodynamic components, thereby enhancing the overall medicinal value. 2.3 Comparison with alkaloids in other medicinal plants By comparing the alkaloids of Leonurus japonicus with those of other medicinal plants, the differences between them can be discovered. Many plants also contain common active ingredients such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. However, Leonurine is special in that it can act on multiple metabolic pathways and has a particularly significant effect in the treatment of gynecological related diseases. This targeting property and broad-spectrum activity make it unique among medicinal plants. Although quercetin is not unique to motherwort and can be found in many plants, its function is particularly prominent in motherwort. Its sensitivity to environmental conditions, instead, becomes part of the adaptability of motherwort: in a suitable environment, it can promote the synthesis of more active substances in plants, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy (Zhang et al., 2024). In contrast, alkaloids in other plants may not exhibit the same flexibility when the environment changes, and thus there are differences in the stability of application and efficacy. 3 Biosynthesis of Leonurus japonicus Alkaloids 3.1 Main synthetic pathways The alkaloid synthesis pathway in Leonurus japonicus is rather complex, involving multiple biochemical processes. Substances like Leonurine are essentially formed by the gradual transformation of primary metabolites into secondary metabolites, and it is precisely these secondary metabolites that endow Leonurine with medicinal value (Liu et al., 2018). This synthetic pathway is not fixed. It is not only restricted by the plant's own genetic background but also influenced by the external environment. Therefore, the content of alkaloids in different parts of motherwort, or even in motherwort from different origins, can vary (Tan et al., 2020). In motherwort, the formation process of alkaloids is closely related to the synthesis of other secondary metabolites (such as diterpenoids, flavonoids, etc.) (Miao et al., 2019). These metabolic pathways often share precursor substances or enzymes, so multiple metabolites may be produced simultaneously in the same process. It is precisely this interwoven metabolic network that enables motherwort to better adapt to the environment and is also closely related to its pharmacological effects (Wang et al., 2022).
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