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PubMed1994

Anti-aging effect of DX-9386 in senescence accelerated mouse.

The effects of DX-9386, a traditional Chinese prescription (ginseng, acorus, polygala and hoelen) were studied on life span, the degree of senescence, motor activity and the antibody production response in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM). DX-9386-containing food was given to SAM for 13 consecutive months from 2 months of age. DX-9386 significantly prolonged the life span of SAM, prevented body weight decrease with aging and tended to improve the senile syndrome. The motor activity of SAMP8 was higher than that of SAMR1, and DX-9386 tended to increase the activity in SAMP8. The in vivo antibody production was markedly decreased in SAMP8 and DX-9386 showed no ameliorating effect on that. These results suggest that DX-9386 has anti-aging impact.

Aging↗
PubMed1995

Mobility inhibition and nematocidal activity of asarone and related phenylpropanoids on second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis.

The in vitro effect of asarone, the nematocidal principle of the rhizome of Acorus calamus, on second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis is composed of two independent actions: one is a fast acting inhibition of the larval mobility and the other is a slow acting larvicidal action. Mobility of the larvae was rapidly inhibited when they were incubated with asarone. Dye exclusion assay revealed that larvae were alive at this stage, and their mobility was restored after the first inhibition, suggesting that this effect was temporary and reversible. However, when the mobility decreased again during prolonged incubation, the cellular viability of larvae disappeared, showing that they were killed by the compound. The above two-stage effect of asarone was almost identical in two geometrical isomers ((E)- and (Z)-asarone). Di- and tri-methoxypropenyl or propylbenzenes carrying two methoxy groups at a vicinal position on a benzene ring showed, more or less, a two-stage effect of this type. These two actions were suggested to be separable by an appropriate modification of the structure.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2004

PAP 9704, a Korean herbal medicine attenuates methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion via adenosine A2A receptor stimulation in mice.

The effect of PAP 9704, a traditional prescription in Korea consisting of Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus, and Poria cocos at a ratio of 1:1:1 (dry weight), on methamphetamine (MA)-induced hyperlocomotion was examined in mice. The increased locomotor activity induced by MA (1 mg/kg/d, i.p. x 7) was significantly attenuated by co-administration with PAP 9704 (100 or 200 mg/kg/d, p.o. x 7) in a dose dependent manner. Consistently, it was found that the hyperlocomotor activity occurred in parallel with the expression of striatal fos-related antigen immunoreactivity. The adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist, 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-(3-chlorostyryl)xanthine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly reversed the pharmacological action of PAP 9704 in a dose related manner, but the adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and the A(2B) receptor antagonist alloxazine (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) did not significantly affect this pharmacological action. Our results suggest that PAP 9704 prevents MA-induced hyperlocomotion, at least in part, via the stimulation of the adenosine A(2A) receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of herbal dietary supplements marketed on the internet for recreational use.

BACKGROUND: The Internet is a popular tool for marketing and purchasing herbal dietary supplements (DS). Various Web sites sell these products purely for recreational use. OBJECTIVE: To describe the content of Web sites that advertise and market herbal DS for recreational use (ie, for the purpose of altering mood/behavior/or perception, "getting high," or as a substitute for a drug of abuse). METHODS: Four major search engines and the search terms "buy herbal high" and "buy legal high" were used to identify Web sites selling herbal DS for recreational use. Web sites were evaluated for their country of origin and for compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Products were evaluated for their ingredient lists, effect claims, comparisons with illicit drugs, adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications. RESULTS: Twenty-eight unique Web sites with 119 products were evaluated. Most sites were in the US (54%) and were in compliance with DSHEA. Forty-seven percent of the products were likened to illicit drugs, typically marijuana (48%) or 3-,4-methylene dioxyamphetamine (Ecstasy; 23%). The most common product ingredients were ephedra alkaloids (27%), Salvia divinorum (17%), kava (10%), guarana (10%), Acorus calamus (10%), and damiana (10%). Effect claims frequently involved the products' use as a hallucinogen (51%) or stimulant (39%). Sixty-four percent of the sites mentioned adverse effects, and 54% mentioned drug interactions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that herbal DS are being marketed for use as legal alternatives to illicit drugs of abuse. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this trend and the products that are involved.

Advertising↗
PubMed2006

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from Schizonepeta tenuifolia against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae).

Plant essential oils from 21 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingenua Dufour (Diptera: Sciaridae) by using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Acorus gramineus Solander, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet, and Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle at 25 microg/ml air. S. tenuifolia oil showed the most potent insecticidal activity among the plant essential oils. At 12.5 microg/ml air concentration, S. tenuifolia oil caused 96.6% mortality, but mortality decreased to 60% at 3.125 microg/ml air. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of three major compounds from S. tenuifolia oil. These three compounds were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against larvae of L. ingenua and compared with the toxicity of dichlorvos. Pulegone was the most toxic, followed by menthone and limonene with LC50 values of 1.21, 6.03, and 15.42 microg/ml, respectively. LC50 of dichlorvos was 8.13 microg/ml. Effects of S. tenuifolia and its components on growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer also were investigated.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metalaxyl toxicity, uptake, and distribution in several ornamental plant species.

Phytoremediation depends on the ability of plants to tolerate and assimilate contaminants. This research characterized the interaction between several ornamental plant species and the fungicidal active ingredient, metalaxyl [N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(methoxyacetyl)alanine methyl ester]. Species evaluated included sweetflag (Acorus gramineus Sol. ex Aiton), canna (Canna hybrida L. 'Yellow King Humbert'), parrotfeather [Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc.], and pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata L.). Metalaxyl tolerance levels for each species were determined by exposing plants for 7 d to solutions containing 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg metalaxyl L-1 aqueous nutrient media. Response endpoints included fresh mass production after 7 d exposure and 7 d post-exposure and quantum efficiency using dark-adapted (Fv/Fm) and light-adapted (fluorescence yields) plants. Metalaxyl uptake and distribution within the plant was determined by growing plants in aqueous nutrient media containing 1.18 x 10(6) Bq L-1 [14C]metalaxyl (0.909 mg L-1) for 1, 3, 5, or 7 d. Plant tissues were combusted and analyzed by liquid scintillation counting. Metalaxyl had no effects on the endpoints measured, except for fresh mass production of sweetflag at the 75 and 100 mg L-1 treatment levels. However, leaf necrosis was apparent in most species after 5 d exposure to concentrations greater than 25 mg L-1. Metalaxyl removal from the spiked nutrient media ranged from 15 to 60% during the 7-d exposure period. The majority of metalaxyl removed from the solution was detected within individual plants. In nearly all cases, activity from the radiolabeled pesticide accumulated in the leaves. Uptake of metalaxyl was correlated with water uptake throughout the 7 d. These results suggest that all species examined may be good candidates for incorporation into a phytoremediation scheme for metalaxyl.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro evaluation of inhibitory nature of extracts of 18-plant species of Chhindwara against 3-keratinophilic fungi.

Effect of extract of 18 plant species, viz., Acorus calamus, Adhatoda vasica, Amomum subulatum, Andrographis paniculata, Boerhaavia diffusa, Cassia occidentalis, Centella asiatica, Cymbopogon citratus, Hemidesmus indicus, Hyptis suaveolens, Malvestrum sp., Passiflora edulis, Pergularia daemia, Peristrophe bicalyculata, Shuteria hirsuta, Solanum nigrum, Tecoma stans, and Verbascum chinense on the growth of Microsporum gypseum, Chrysosporium tropicum and Trichophyton terrestre was evaluated and discussed. The sensitivity of the keratinophilic fungi was evaluated by dry-weight method. The maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was shown by M. gypseum (86.62%) followed by T. terrestre (81.86%) and C. tropicum (74.06%) when treated with S. hirsuta whereas the minimum inhibition was exhibited by M. gypseum (0.29%), C. tropicum (0.16%) and T. terrestre (1.76%) when tested with the extract of P. edulis, A. vasica and B. diffusa respectively.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Analysis of constituents of essential oil from Anemone altaica Fisch. ex C. A. Mey].

OBJECTIVE: Analyzing the constituents of the essential oil from Waichangpu(dried rhizome of Anemone altaica, often mistakenly called "Jiujiechangpu"). METHOD: Separating and identifying the constituents by GC-MS. RESULT: Twenty-two compounds from the essential oil from Waichangpu were separated and identified, the main ones being cedrenol(23.69%), beta-eudesmol(8.49%), elemol(2.80%), hexadecanoic acid(4.77%) and 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid(14.93%). CONCLUSION: The essential oil content is very low in Waichangpu, and the oil structure of Waichangpu is obviously different from that of Shichangpu(dried rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii, whose another name is Jiujiechangpu). The present study provides a chemical basis to support the view that Waichangpu should not be confused with Shichangpu as a medicinal herb.

Anemone↗
PubMed2003

[Herbal medicinal preparations in the Lithuanian market].

Today phytopreparations take important place in the modern therapy. There are 6475 medicinal preparations registered in Lithuania (2 January, 2003). Out of them, 7.38 % or 482 are preparations herbal and animal origin. Lithuanian companies produce the biggest part of these drugs. Tea is the most popular drug form produced from medicinal plants. There are 4 producers of medicinal teas in Lithuania: "Acorus Calamus", "Svencioniu vaistazoles", "Herba Humana" and "Karvelio terapijos-fitoterapijos imone". Preparations of herbal origin are generally used in treatment of digestive, respiratory tract, and nervous system problems. Twenty-six different drug forms are produced from medicinal plants.

Digestive System Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative determination of beta-asarone in calamus by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

A quantitative high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method for determination of beta-asarone in Calamus rhizome was developed and validated. The method is suitable for proper identification of Acorus calamus. Through the use of caffeine-modified silica gel as the stationary phase and toluene-ethyl acetate (93 + 7, v/v) as the mobile phase, beta-asarone is baseline separated from its isomer alpha-asarone. Scanning densitometry with absorption measurement at 313 nm allows specific, accurate, and precise quantification of beta-asarone. The working range of 40 to 200 ng absolute of the target substance is sufficient to establish whether a given sample passes the limit test of 0.5% maximum as required by the Swiss Pharmacopoeia.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2006

Screening of herbal extracts for activation of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors play a pivotal role in metazoan lipid and glucose homeostasis. Synthetic activators of PPARalpha (fibrates) and PPARgamma (glitazones) are therefore widely used for treatment of dislipidemia and diabetes, respectively. There is growing evidence for herbal compounds to influence nuclear receptor signalling e.g. the PPARs. We recently reported carnosic acid and carnosol, both being diterpenes found in the labiate herbs sage and rosemary, to be activators of PPARgamma. The subsequent screening of a variety of ethanolic extracts, obtained from traditionally used herbs, for PPAR activation, led to an exceptionally high hit rate. Among 52 extracts nearly the half significantly activated PPARgamma and 14 activated PPARalpha in addition, whereas three of them were pan-PPAR activators, which also activated PPARdelta. The most active extracts, for which a concentration dependent effect could be shown, were the extracts of Alisma plantago aquatica (ze xie/european waterplantain), Catharanthus roseus (madagascar periwinkle), Acorus calamus (sweet calamus), Euphorbia balsamifera (balsam spurge), Jatropha curcas (barbados nut), Origanum majorana (marjoram), Zea mays (corn silk), Capsicum frutescens (chilli) and Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). The results of the present study provide a possible rationale for the traditional use of many herbs as antidiabetics.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Asarone and its biological properties].

In acute and chronic experiments on mice, rats, cats and rabbits in a wide range of tests, a study was conducted of the biological properties of alpha-asarone (1-propenyl-2,4,5- methoxybenzol)--etherophenol, isolated by the authors from the roots of Asarum europaeum. It was determined that the LD50 of asarone for mice in enteral administration was 417.6 mg/kg, in intra-abdominal--310 mg/kg. The preparation has quite diverse biological activity--tranquilizing, sedative, antiulcer, spasmolytic and antisclerosing. In its pharmacological properties the studied asarone is identical with asarone obtained from Acorus calamus and Guatteria.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed1994

[Variations of the essential oils in Acorua calamus L. and their major compositions].

The variations of the essential oils in Acorus calamus and their major compositions with seasons and producing areas were investigated by steam distillation and internal standard method. The result has shown that June is the best season for A. calamus cropping and that the major components of the volatile oil in the same part of the plant from different producing areas have the same chemical structure type.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2004

Towards a comprehensive integration of morphological and genetic studies of floral development.

Floral developmental genetics has exploded as a discipline. In addition to the rich genetic database for well-established models (Arabidopsis, Antirrhinum, Zea), numerous species have become the focus of floral genomic and genetic initiatives. Extensive documentation of the developmental morphology of Arabidopsis flowers has facilitated the linkage of genes and morphology. Complete developmental series also need to be assembled for emerging systems of molecular studies of floral genes. We address issues of homology assessment in floral structures, emphasize the need for assembling a complete floral developmental series for each species studied molecularly and genetically, stress the importance of a common set of terminology, and suggest a set of 'landmarks' to designate major events in floral development. We compare the floral developmental series of three species with different floral morphologies and propose a consensus of developmental stages to facilitate comparison of gene expression patterns. Taxa occupying key phylogenetic positions offer great potential for generating hypotheses about the regulation of floral development.

Acorus↗
PubMed2003

[Effects of one Chinese herbs on improving cognitive function and memory of Alzheimer's disease mouse models].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Chinese herbs with the effect on significantly improving the cognitive function and retention of patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: AD mouse models were established by injecting poly-beta-AP25-35 into the cerebral ventricle of mice. The curative effects of traditional Chinese herbs Dangguishaoyaosan, Chaihujialonggumulitang and two herbs (CHP I and CHP II) developed by the authors on improving the memory and cognitive function of AD mouse models were studied by the detection of behavioral and histochemical tests, with piracetam serving as control. RESULT: CHP II has profound curative effects on improving the memory and cognitive function of AD-like animal model. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that it has a satisfactory prospect to seek new drugs from Chinese herbs to treat AD.

Acorus↗
PubMed2004

[Pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats].

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats. METHODS: The concentration of beta-asarone in serum and organs were measured by HPLC after i.g. administration, the pharmacokinetics was analyzed with DAS software regarding the organs as independent system. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone can be described as first order process of one-compartment model. In the serum, T(1/2), Tpeak and Cmax were 54 min, 12 min and 3.19 mg x L(-1), respectively. The procedure in the organs was similar to that in serum. CONCLUSION: The absorption, distribution and elimination of beta-asarone are very rapid, and it is easy to pass through blood brain barrier. Brain is an important organ of distributing of beta-asarone.

Acorus↗