Zhihong Xuan , Yiping Huang

Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Zhuji, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 2   
Received: 25 Mar., 2026    Accepted: 20 Apr., 2026    Published: 30 Apr., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Leonurus japonicus, a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, plays an important role in the treatment of gynecological disorders. This study systematically reviews the variation in secondary metabolic traits of L. japonicus and explores their functional associations with gynecological efficacy. The major classes of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, exhibit significant variability across different germplasms, environments, and developmental stages. These variations are closely regulated by complex biosynthetic pathways and gene expression networks. Pharmacological evidence indicates that these metabolites contribute to key therapeutic effects such as promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, and exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, metabolomic analyses reveal strong correlations between specific compounds and clinical efficacy, highlighting the importance of metabolic profiling in quality evaluation. A case study comparing samples from different geographical origins further demonstrates that metabolic differences significantly influence therapeutic outcomes. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the biochemical basis of L. japonicus efficacy and supports future applications in precision breeding and standardized utilization.

Leonurus japonicus; Secondary metabolites; Metabolic variation; Gynecological efficacy; Metabolomics