Therapeutic mechanism of Acorus tatarinowii on Alzheimer's disease / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Acorus tatarinowii is the dried rhizome of the Araceae plant Acorus tatarinowii Schott.Acorus tata-rinowii was first recorded in Shennong's Classic of Mate-ria Medica.It was used for the treatment of epilepsy,amnesia,insomnia,tinnitus,deafness,silent diarrhea,and other diseases.Alzheimer's disease(AD),also known as senile dementia,is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.It is mainly manifested as neuropsychiatric symptoms such as progressive memory impairment,cognitive dysfunction,personality changes and language disorders.Acorus tatarinowii mainly con-tains phenylpropylene,lignans,alkaloids,sugars,organic acids and amino acids,among which volatile compo-nents such as β-asarone are the main active compo-nents.The main mechanism of action of Acorus tatari-nowii in the prevention and treatment of AD is as follows:① Improve memory ability.Increasing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and adenosine cyclic phosphate response element binding protein(CREB)can improve cognitive dysfunction.Studies have shown that Acorus tatarinowii can increase the expression of BDNF,ERK,CREB and tyrosine receptor kinase B in the hippo-campus of mice to varying degrees.It can significantly improve the memory ability of memory-impaired mice,so as to achieve the purpose of prevention and treatment of AD.② Anti-oxidative stress.Studies have shown that Acorus tatarinowii can reduce the production of malondi-aldehyde in skeletal muscle,increase superoxide dis-mutase activity and total antioxidant capacity,and repair the balance of oxidative stress.③ Acetylcholinesterase inhibition.The loss of consciousness caused by deficiency of kidney essence in AD patients is related to the patho-logical changes of the cholinergic nervous system.The results showed that Acorus tatarinowii could significantly increase the contents of glutamate and acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex of AD model mice,and decrease the activity of acetylcholinesterase,to achieve the anti-AD effect.④ Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.The damage of neurons in the brain of AD patients is related to the excessive inflammatory immune response of nerve cells including microglia and astrocytes.The results showed that Acorus tatarinowii can inhibit the autophagy of microglia in rats with cerebral hemorrhage,and has neuroprotective effect,to achieve the effect of anti-AD.In this study,the effects of Acorus tatarinowii on AD were reviewed to further clarify its pharmacological ef-fects,and to provide a basis for clinical application and research.

Nucleosides from Acorus tatarinowii and Their Transformation Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the water soluble chemical constituents in rhizoma of Acorus tatarinowii and transformation pathway of nucleosides in the process of water extraction. Method:Compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography on macroporous resin，Sephadex LH-20，ODS and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. Nucleosides were identified from aqueous extract of A. tatarinowii，and their stability was investigated by HPLC. The possible transformation pathways of nucleosides in aqueous extract of A. tatarinowii were studied by nucleotide addition test. Result:Eleven compounds including four nucleosides，four phenylpropanoids，two alkaloids and a furfural were isolated，and identified as uridine（1），adenine（2），guanosine（3），adenosine（4），5-hydroxymethylfurfural（5），5-（hydroxymethyl）-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde（6），（threo）1'，2'-dihydroxyasarone（7），（erythro）1'，2'-dihydroxyasarone（8），acoraminol A（9），acoraminol B（10），and tatarine A（11）. The chromatographic peaks of compounds 1-4 and cytidine were identified from aqueous extract of A. tatarinowii by HPLC. After ultrasonic extraction for 0.5 h，the stability of nucleosides in water was poor. After ultrasonic extraction for 3 h or refluxing extraction for 0.5 h，the stability of nucleosides in water was good. Four transformation pathways including 5'-cytidylic acid→cytidine，uridine monophosphate→uridine，guanosine monophosphate，guanosine and adenosine-5'-monophosphate，adenosine 5'-diphosphate，adenosine 5'-triphosphorate，adenosine，adenine might exist in water extract of A. tatarinowii. Conclusion:Compounds 1-4 and 6 were isolated from the genus Acorus for the first time. These compounds further enriched the chemical constituents of A. tatarinowii. The stability and transformation pathway of nucleosides in A. tatarinowii provides reference data for the analysis of nucleosides in A. tatarinowii and other traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on preparation of volatile oil from Acorus tatarinowii self-nanoemulsion dropping pills and its protective effect on acute myocardial ischemia injury / 中国中药杂志

In this study, solid dispersion technology was used to develop volatile oil from Acorus tatarinowii self-nanoemulsion dropping pills(VOA-SNEDDS-DP) and its protective effect on acute myocardial ischemia injury was evaluated. Taking exterior quality, weight variation and the resolving time as comprehendsive evaluation indexes, the preparation process and formulation of the dropping pills were optimized by orthogonal design, and the dissolution rate in vitro of the optimized VOA-SNEDDS-DP was investigated. The rat model of acute myocardial ischemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol hydrochloride and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), creatine kinase(CK) and pathological changes of myocardial tissue were determined to evaluate therapeutic effect of the dropping pills on acute myocardial ischemia. The results showed that the optimal formulation and preparation process of VOA-SNEDDS-DP were as follows: PEG6000-PEG8000 was 1∶1, proportion of VOA-SNEDDS and matrix was l∶2.5, the temperature of drug fluids was 75 ℃, drop rate was 35 drops/min, drop distance was 5 cm, the condensing agent temperature was 2-10 ℃. The content of β-asarone in the dropping pills was 42.46 mg·g~(-1). The accumulated dissolution rate of the dropping pills reached 93.85% in 10 min. The results of pharmacodynamic experiments showed that VOA-SNEDDS-DP could significantly increase the SOD content(P<0.05), reduce the levels of MDA and CK(P<0.05) in serum, and effectively improve the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue. These results revealed that the preparation of VOA-SNEDDS-DP by solid dispersion technology was stable and feasible, and VOA-SNEDDS-DP had protective effect on acute myocardial ischemia injury.

Isolation and Identification the Compositions of Alkaloids in Acorus tatarinowii / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To isolate and identify the compositions of alkaloids in Acorus tatarinowii， and to lay the foundation for further study of its pharmacological activity. METHODS： The compositions of alkaloids from A. tatarinowii was separated by cation exchange resin. UPLC-MS method was used to identify the alkaloids. The separation was performed on a Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus-C18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.1％ formic acid-acetonitrile （gradient elution） at a flow rate of 0.3      mL/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃， and the injection volume was 1 μL. ESI ion source was used to detect the fragments， the ion mode scan was positive. Peakview 1.2 and other softwares were used to analyze the compositions of alkaloids. RESULTS： 86 compositions were separated and 5 alkaloids were identified， such as tatarine A， N-trans-feruloyltyramine， N-lauryldiethanolamine， phytosphingosine and 5-butyluridine. CONCLUSIONS： The results of the study lay a foundation for the study of pharmacological activity of alkaloids from A. tatarinowii.

Textual research on classical prescription of Acorus tatarinowii / 中国中药杂志

Based on the prescription books of herbs and medical books of all dynasties,this article makes a textual research on the name,origin,position,quality,collection,processing and concocting of Acorus tatarinowii used in the classical prescription,and clarifies the relationship between ancient and modern,so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of the classical famous prescription.According to research,A. tatarinowii has many aliases and is often remembered as " Chang pu" when use as medicine; It has a wide distribution of resources in our country,all over the country have produced and mostly wild,its producing areas there is a trend of migration to the southeast; It is recorded in the ancient books of Chinese herbs that most of its medicinal parts are roots,and to root thin,solid quality,dense,aromatic smell,full taste,chewing less slag of high quality; It is harvested in February,May,August and December,and dried in the shade after harvesting; Its concocting methods are more than 20 species have been recorded; Before the Tang Dynasty,the basis of the medicinal A. tatarinowii was relatively chaotic,through textual research,it is concluded that A. tatarinowii should be the mainstream in all dynasties,and that its quality is superior to that of other species in the same genus.It is recommended to be used in " Kaixin san" and " rehmannia drink".

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Silver Nanoparticles in Extracts of Acorus calamus and Agaricus bisporus

Nanoparticles are in increasing commercial demand due to their wide applicability in various areas such as catalysis, chemistry, energy and medicine. Green chemistry is the best option to opt for the synthesisof nanoparticles.Agaricus bisporusand Acorus calamusare used medicinally in Ayurvedic medicines. The present work conducted endeavored to determine antioxidant activity of the extracts made. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using an aqueous extract of Acorus calamus & Agaricus bisporus.They were characterized by using UV spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).Plant extracts were incubated with Silver Nitrate Solution (AgNO3) and the color change was observed as dark reddish brown. The presence of Ag nanoparticles was analyzed between the wavelengths 400-550 nm. SEM & TEM determined the size of the nanoparticlesdetermined by SEM &TEM. The antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH (1, 1diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging method for different solvents of Acorus calamus andAgaricus bisporus which showed that methanol extract on higher concentration possesses better antioxidant potential when compared to standard. They exhibited strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity with 66.3% and 59.2% respectively for ascorbic acid equivalence. The absorbance for reducing power was found to be in increasing order with an increase in concentration.Methanolic extract displayed an increased antioxidant activity extract, could be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols. Also, the study reveals that the silver nanoparticles from methanol extract show better activity than thenormal aqueous extract.

Chemical Constituents of Stems of Acorus tatarinowii / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated from the 70% ethanol-soluble extract of the stems of Acorus tatarinowii Schott and purified by a series of column chromatography methods, including MCI, silica gel, Sephadex LH - 20, HPLC and so on, and their structures were identified by physical chemical constants and NMR techniques. RESULTS: A total of twelve compounds were isolated and identified as (7S, 8R) -4, 9'-dihydroxyl-3, 3'-dimethoxyl-7, 8-dihydrobenzofuran-1'-propylneolignan (1), (-) -lyoniresinol (2), dihydrocubebin (3), evofolin B(4), (+) -icariol A2 (5), β-sitosterol(6), (+) -13-hydroxyspathulenol(7), aromadendrane-4β, 10β-diol(8), anomallenodiol( 9), (9CI) -cis-4-(3, 4-dihydroxy-2, 6, 6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl) -2-butanone (10), (3E) -rel-4-[(3R, 4S) -3, 4-dihydroxy- 2, 6, 6 -trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl]-3-buten-2-one(11), and ixerol B(12), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 2 - 4 and 7 - 12 are isolated from the genus Acorus for the first time, and compound 5 is isolated from this plant for the first time.

Studies on volatile oils compounds of Acorus macrospadiceus based on GC-MS, an ethnomedicinal and food plant used by local people in southwest China / 中国中药杂志

Acorus macrospadiceus is a common medicinal and food plant used different ethnic groups in Guizhou and surrounding areas. In this paper, the leaf and rhizome tissues of A. macrospadiceus were hydro-distilled to extract the volatile oils. The chemical constituents of these oils were analyzed by GC-MS and identified using the NIST 14.0 & NIST 14.0s mass spectral libraries. The relative contents of chemical constituents from the different plant parts were determined by area normalization. The analysis of A. macrospadiceus volatile oils resulted in the identification of 25 compounds from the leaf and 36 compounds from the rhizome. The identified compounds accounted for 97.85% of the leaf essential oil content and 97.18% of the rhizome essential oil content. The main volatile constituent of A. macrospadiceus was identified as estragole (93.56% of total oil content in leaf and 71.62% of total oil content in rhizome). Fourteen compounds were found to be common to essential oils of both leaf and rhizome. However, the relative amounts of these compounds were significantly different between the plant parts; the remaining identified compounds were unique to each part. This comparison of volatile oils from the different parts of A. macrospadiceus can serve as a reference for future development. Because of the higher estragole content and better harvesting sustainability of the leaves compared to rhizomes, the leaves of A. macrospadiceus deserve consideration for sustainable development. However, when we use it as a medical plant, we should draw a distinction between it with A. tatarinowii.

Promoting effect of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax on intestinal absorption of Rhodamine-123 and its mechanisms / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the intestinal absorption-promoting effect of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax on Rhodamine-123 (Rho-123) and its mechanisms. Methods Rat in vitro everted gut sac (EGS) model was made. The EGS was filled with 1.0 mL K-R solution, and suspended in 45.0 mL 37℃ K-R solution with or without 60 μg/mL volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax. After incubation for 30 min, Rho-123 was added in the experimental solution outside the EGS. Rho-123 content in the EGS was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector. The human colon carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 were cultured in DMEM and incubated with 80 μg/mL volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax for 48 h. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in Caco-2 cells was assessed using flow cytometry, and P-gp gene MDR1 mRNA expression was determined by qPCR. Results The volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax each significantly increased the absorption rate constant and apparent permeability coefficient of Rho-123 in rat jejunum and ileum (P<0.01), reduced P-gp expression and MDR1 mRNA level in Caco-2 cells (the decreased rates of P-gp expression were 53.15%, 55.10% and 61.86%, and of MDR1 mRNA levels were 55.41%, 16.24% and 38.46%, P<0.01). Conclusion Inhibiting the protein and MDR1 mRNA expressions of P-gp may be one of the main mechanisms of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax in promoting Rho-123 intestinal absorption.

Effect of extrusion process on formability of pellets based on texture properties of extrudates / 中草药

Objective: To analyze the effect of extrusion factors such as extrusion speed, screen hole diameter, and extrusion times on the texture properties of extrudate and the quality of pellets. Methods: In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as pelletization aid, lactose, Methocel E5 HPMC, Methocel E15 HPMC, Methocel K100 HPMC, and eight kinds of herbal extracts (extracts of Areca catechu, Patrinia scabiosae folia, Acorus tatarinowii, Sargentodoxa cuneata, Psoralea corylifolia, Dachuanxiong Decoction, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Gastrodia elata) were used as model drugs. Extrudates were prepared under different levels of process parameters, and one part was used to measure the texture parameters, the other part used for quality evaluation after spheronization. Results: With a large screen hole diameter, it showed that hardness of extrudate became lower and the adhesiveness as well as the springiness was significantly higher, leading to a large particle size and poor roundness of pellets. Repeated extrusion could increase hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience of extrudate. Not any strong correlation was found between the extrusion speed and texture properties in the study. Conclusion: The extrusion process could be purposefully selected to prepare ideal pellets accroding to texture properties of extrudate.

Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Acorus gramineus Extraction on Mice Arthritis Induced by Type-Ⅱ Collagen / 医药导报

Objective To investigate the medical effect of the ethanol extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.on arthritis of mice induced by collagen-Ⅱ,and explore the potential pharmacological mechanisms.Methods Arthritis mouse model was established by injection of admixture containing type Ⅱ collagen and Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) in male BALB/c mice.Mice were divided into five groups:the normal control group (0.9% of sodium chloride solution),the model control group (0.9% of sodium chloride solution),tripterygium group (15 μg·kg-1 of tripterygium tablets), the high-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.group (60 mg·kg-1 extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.) and the low-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.group (15 mg·kg-1 extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.).Each group was administered once a day,lasting 21 days.During the experiment,ankles of all mice were measured at predetermined time.At the end of the experiment,blood of the mice was exsanguinated and centrifuged to get serum for measuring the levels of IL-1β,RF and TNF-α.Spleens of mice were dissected and weighed to calculate the spleen index.All arthritis ankles were dissected to make tissue section,and observed under microscope.Results Compared with the model control group,the perimeter of ankle joints of the high-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.group significantly changed 6 days after administration (P<0.05);That of the low-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.group significantly changed 12 days after administration (P<0.05);That of tripterygium group significantly changed 9 days after administration (P<0.05).As compared with the normal control group, the spleen index of the model control group was significantly different (P<0.01).As compared with the model control group,the spleen index of tripterygium group,high-dose and low-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.groups were significantly different (P<0.05).As compared with the normal control group,levels of IL-1β,RF and TNF-α of the model control group were significantly different (all P<0.01).As compared with the model control group,levels of IL-1β,RF and TNF-α of tripterygium group,high-dose and low-dose of extract of Acorus gramineus Sol.groups were significantly decreased.Conclusion Ethanol extracts of Acorus gramineus Sol.have significant therapeutic effect on arthritis mice.The anti-arthritic mechanism is associated with its ability to regulate levels of IL-1β,RF and TNF-α.

A new sesquiterpene from Acorus calamus (Ⅱ) / 中国中药杂志

A new quaiane-tgpe sesquiterpene was isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Acorus calamus by silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatographic methods. Structure and absolute configuration of the sesquiterpene were elucidated by spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis, and named as 1R,5R,7S-guaiane-4R,10R-diol-6-one.

Effect of Different Components of Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia on p-Ser396 and Tau-5 Expression in the Hippocampus of Rats with Alzheimer′s Disease / 医药导报

Objective To investigate the different components of Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia(volatile oil, aqueous extract)on the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein at site Ser396 and Tau-5 in the hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer′s disease(AD). Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 8 groups:normal control group, model control group,low-,middle-,and high-dose groups of volatile oil of Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia,and low-, middle-,and high-dose groups of aqueous extract of Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia. The subacute aging model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose( D-gal). Rats were given different components of Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia(crude drug dosage,0.6,1.2,1.8 g·kg-1 )in experimental groups,and 0.9% sodium chloride solution in normal control group and model control group,by gavage for 28 days.The levels of phosphorylated Tau protein at site Ser396 and Tau-5 were detected in hippocampal tissues by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results The levels of phosphorylated Tau protein at site Ser396 were significantly enhanced in the model control group,as compared with those in normal control group (P0.05). Conclusion Acorus tatarinowii and Polygala tenuifolia could promote the dephosphorylation of Ser396 site of Tau protein in the hippocampus of AD rats,with the aqueous extract component having better effects.

Research progress on Acorus tatarinowii and its active ingredients in treatment of Alzheimer's disease / 中草药

Currently, Chinese materia medica is a research hotspot on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extracts from Acorus tatarinowii have a variety of pharmacological effects on the central nervous system, among which the volatile oil and β-asarone are the main active ingredients in A. tatarinowii reported on the effect on improving the learning and memory and prevention of AD. This review focuses on the main active ingredients in A. tatarinowii and progresses in their different therapeutic effects and proposed pharmacological mechanisms for AD on the basis of referring to the relevant literatures at home and abroad.

Antidepressant Effect and Mechanism of Different Polar Fraction of Acorus Tatarinowii Schott. on Depression Mouse Model / 医药导报

Objective To study antidepressant effect and mechanism of different polar fraction of Acorus tatarinowii Schott.on depression mouse model and explore the mechanism. Methods Different polar fractions were prepared by systematic solvent method. The adult dose recommended by Chinese Pharmacopeia ( 10 g?d-1 ) was converted to the dose of mouse. Intragastric administration was performed.A total of 80 male mice was randomly divided into normal control group,model control group and different polar fraction groups of Acorus tatarinowii Schott.. Depression mouse model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stimulation ( CUMS) with solitary feeding,and external performance of mice of different groups was observed. After 21-day feeding,blood was harvested from eyes of the mice.Concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3),tetraiodothyronine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone ( TSH) ,adrenocorticotrophic hormone ( ACTH) in mouse plasma and 5-hydroxy tryptamine ( 5-HT) , ACTH in brain were measured by ELISA method. Results Concentrations of T3 , T4 and ACTH in model control group [(1.203±0.042),(44.80±2.21),(11.27±0.50) ng?mL-1] were significantly increased as compared with the normal control group [(0.794±0.028),(24.87±1.25),(7.04±0.24) ng?mL-1] (P<0.05).Concentration of 5-HT in brain (146.87±10.96) was significantly decreased as compared with that of normal group ( 237. 11 ± 21. 87 ) ng?L-1 , and concentration of ACTH (58.94±4.46) ng?L-1 was significantly increased as compared with that of normal group [(38.89±2.26) ng?L-1,P<0.05)]. Concentrations of T3[(0.824±0.067),(0.812±0.051),(0.943±0.049) ng?mL-1],T4[(25.97±1.96),(27.53±1.88), (31.26±1.97) ng?mL-1] and ACTH [(7.21±0.40),(7.58±0.39),(8.69±0.42) ng?mL-1] in extraction group,cyclohexane group and chloroform group were significantly decreased as compared with model control group. At the recommendation dose of Chinese Pharmacopeia,concentrations of 5-HT in brain [(219.59±10.48),(202.19±11.95),(186.96±10.29) ng?L-1] were significantly increased,and concentrations of ACTH [(41.65±2.65),(44.87±2.95),(47.75±3.06) ng?L-1] were decreased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion Mouse model of CUMS shows typical depression symptom,and the symptom has relationship with the concentrations of endocrine hormones of T3 , T4 , ACTH, 5-HT, etc. Extraction and low polar fractions ( cyclohexane, and chloroform) of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. can partly correct incretion disorder of depression model, which may be parts of the reasons why Acorus tatarinowii Schott.exerts anti-depressant effect.

Correlation study on high performance liquid chromatography and antidepressant effect of different eluting fractions of acorus tatarinowii schott macroporous resin / 重庆医学

Objective To research the correlation on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and antidepressant effect of different elution fractions of acorus tatarinowii schott macroporous resin .Methods Prepared different fractions by using AB‐8 macroporous resin .Establish HPLC characteristic chromatograms of crude drugs and different elution fractions from AB‐8 acorus tatarinowii schott macroporous resin by using gradient elusion .Confirm characteristic peaks in chromatograms .despair mod‐els of male mice ,including tails suspension test (TST ) ,forced swimming test (FST ) were used to evaluate antidepressant effects by taking orally .Results HPLC chromatograms of crude drugs and different fraction of acorus tatarinowii schott showed that they had same characteristic peaks .Elution of 90% and 70% alcohol solution from AB‐8 macroporous resin can obviously reduce TST and FST time .The anti‐depressant effect were associated with characteristic peaks on chromatogram .Conclusion Acorus tatarinowii schott has anti‐depressant effect ,and mainly from 70% and 90% alcohol solution eluted from AB‐8 macroporous resin .HPLC char‐acteristic chromatography and data relationship between relative peaks can be used to judge the antidepressant effects of acorus ta‐tarinowii schott ,and give reference to research and product development .

Anti-inflammatory and Wound-healing Activity of Aqueous Extracts from Acorus Calamus L / 中国药师

Objective:To explore the wound-healing effect and the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extracts from the fresh roots and rhizomes of A. calamus. Methods: The image analysis techniques and the histological analysis were used to determine the wound-healing effect in the excised wound test, and the real-time RT-PCR techniques was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activi-ty in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264. 7 cells test. Results:The aqueous extracts were given 3 times a day since the model was established. The skin wound area was reduced significantly in the aqueous extracts group when compared with that in the control group since the 3rd day, the wound area in the aqueous extracts group was only 15% of that in the control group on the 13th day, and the wound-healing rate was enhanced significantly by the extracts. Moreover, the mRNA expressions of the inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the inflammatory RAW 264. 7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide were inhibited effectively by the ex-tracts in a dose-dependant manner. Conclusion:The results indicate that the aqueous extracts from the fresh roots and rhizomes of A. calamus have significant wound-healing activity in animal excised wound model and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

Pharmacological basis of the use of Acortus calamus L. in inflammatory diseases and underlying signal transduction pathways / Bases farmacológicas del uso de Acorus calamus L. en enfermedades inflamatorias y las vías de transducción de señales subyacentes

Acorus calamus L. is used as anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional system of medicine in Pakistan and India. This study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Acorus calamus L. and its underlying signaling pathways. Aqueous, butanolic and n-hexane fractions of Acorus calamus were tested against cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) mediated eicosanoids production by arachidonic acid (AA). Butanolic fraction of Acorus calamus, but not the aqueous and n-hexane fractions, inhibited the COX mediated production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and liopxygenase product 1 (LP1) -a metabolite of LOX pathway. 12-(hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) HETE- another product of the LOX pathway was unaffected by all three fractions. Butanolic fraction of Acorus calamus showed strong inhibition against AA-induced platelet aggregation. Investigation of the underlying signaling pathways revealed that butanolic fraction inhibited phospholipase C (PLC) pathway in platelets, most probably acting on protein kinase C (PKC). Aqueous and n-hexane fractions of Acorus calamus were not effective against any platelet agonist. This study shows that butanolic fraction of Acorus calamus possesses components that inhibit AA metabolism and platelet aggregation through multiple pathways.

Acorus calamus L. se utiliza como remedio anti-inflamatorio en el sistema tradicional de la medicina en Pakistán y la India. Este estudio fue diseñado para explorar el mecanismo anti-inflamatorio de Acorus calamus L. y sus vías de señalización subyacentes. Fracciones acuosa, butanólica y de n-hexano de Acorus calamus se ensayaron frente a la ciclooxigenasa (COX) y de la lipoxigenasa (LOX) mediada por la producción de eicosanoides por el ácido araquidónico (AA). La fracción butanólica de Acorus calamus, pero no las fracciones acuosas y de n-hexano, inhibieron la producción de COX mediada por tromboxano B2 (TXB2) y el producto lipoxigenasa 1 (LP1) - un metabolito de la vía de LOX, 12 - (ácido hidroxieicosatetraenoico) HETE - otro producto de la ruta de LOX no fue afectado por las tres fracciones. La fracción butanólica de Acorus calamus mostró una fuerte inhibición contra la agregación plaquetaria inducida por AA. La investigación de las vías de señalización subyacentes reveló que la fracción butanólica inhibió la fosfolipasa C (PLC) y la vía en las plaquetas, probablemente actuando sobre la proteína quinasa C (PKC). Fracciones acuosas y de n - hexano de Acorus calamus no fueron eficaces contra ningún agonista de plaquetas. Este estudio muestra que la fracción butanólica de Acorus calamus posee componentes que inhiben el metabolismo del AA y la agregación plaquetaria a través de múltiples vías.

Fate of B-asarone in Ayurvedic Sodhana process of Vacha-asarone in Ayurvedic Sodhana process of Vacha.

Background: Calamus (Acorus calamus Linn., Araceae) rhizome synonymously called sweet fl ag or Vacha is an aromatic herb indigenous to Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It has been used by the Ayurvedic practitioners since time immemorial for diseases ranging from weakness of memory to being used as an anthelminthic. Reports of its use have been found in books like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, etc., The major constituent of the oil of Vacha is a phenyl propanoid called -asarone, which is reported to show carcinogenic properties. Due to the toxic effects of -asarone, sodhana prakriya (detoxifi cation process) has been prescribed for Vacha before its inclusion in the Ayurvedic medicines. Shodhanaprakriya (S.prakriya) of Vacha has been mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts. Objectives: This study was undertaken with an aim to fi nd out the mechanism involved in the S. prakriya of Vacha and also to suggest an alternate method for the conventional one. Materials and Methods: The conventional method was studied in the laboratory and equivalent alternate methods were designed based on the mechanism involved. Vacha samples were subjected to the conventional method as well as the alternate methods and the content of -asarone in the different samples was monitored using Gas Chromatography technique. Results: Various alternate methods have been devised based on the mechanism involved in the S. prakriya which have given results comparable with those of the conventional method. Conclusion: The scientifi c mechanism involved in the S.prakriya of Vacha has been established and alternate methods have been proposed.

Study on chemical constituents from roots and rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the roots and rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii. Methods: Using different chromatographic methods to isolate and purify the constituents of A. tatarinowii, and their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic technology. Results: Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as fumaric acid (1), nicotinic acid (2), p-hydroxybenzonic acid (3), uracil (4), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (5), thymine (6), variecolorquinone A (7), butanedioic acid (8), tatarol (9), tataroside-12-β-D-glucoside (10), β-sitosterol (11), 2, 5-dimethoxy- benzoquinone (12), and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (13). Conclusion: Compounds 1-7 are isolated from the plants in Acorus L. for the first time.