Moderate drought followed by re-watering initiates beneficial changes in the photosynthesis, biomass production and Rubiaceae-type cyclopeptides (RAs) accumulation of Rubia yunnanensis

•Under drought stress photosynthesis in Rubia yunnanensis influences RAs contents.•R. yunnanensis photosynthesis recovers under moderate drought followed re-watering.•R. yunnanensis in moderate drought followed re-watering exhibits higher RAs contents.•Provide important informations benefiting for the further standardized cultivation.