ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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.
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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.
ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Acorus/chemistry , Calamus aromaticus , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Arachidonic Acid , Platelet Aggregation , Inflammation , Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Thromboxanes , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
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.
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Anticonvulsant property of Acorus calamus is known. Since combination therapy can lower the dose of individual drug and dose related toxicities, in this study, the effect of co-administration of hydroalcoholic extract of A. calamus (HAEAC) on conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), sodium valproate and carbamazepine was determined using pentylenetetrazole -induced seizures model in rats. On combining the subanticonvulsant doses of HAEAC with sodium valproate and carbamazepine, greater protection as compared to either drug alone was observed. This was not related to change in levels of the AEDs. Thus, the results further substantiate anticonvulsant effect of HAEAC and suggest a potential for add on therapy with AEDs.
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Objective: To determine the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic extract of Acorus calamus (HAE-AC) in mice and rats respectively. Methods: In acute toxicity study, mice were assessed to any alteration of general behavior and mortality rate within 24 h. Further, in sub-acute toxicity study, rats were used for assessment of mortality, body weight, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes. Results: Single oral administrations of the HAE-AC 2500-10000 mg/kg induced increase in general behavioral abnormalities in mice. The mortality rate also increased with increasing dosage (median lethal dose; LD50 = 5 070.59 mg/kg). Daily single oral doses of HAE-AC 200, 500 and 1 000 mg/kg were observed to be well tolerated behaviorally after 28 days of dosing and induced no significant changes in body and organs weights of rats. Further, a mild rise in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and histopatholological changes in liver tissue was noted at 1000 mg/kg dose of HAE-AC. Conclusions: Overall, the findings of this study indicate that, HAE-AC is non-toxic and has at high dose, a mild but acceptable toxicity potential.
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The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Acorus calamus was evaluated for antibacterial activity against clinically important bacteria viz.. Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Escherichia coli (MTCC 443), Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 1429), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424). The in-vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method. The ethanolic extracts of A. calamus was active against all the investigated bacterial strains while aqueous extract was totally inactive against the studied gram negative bacterial strains (E. coli, P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa) and showed moderate antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria B. subtilis and Stap. aureus only at high concentration (200ml). However, further works are needed to identify the chemical nature of the active substances as well as their modes of actions on the bacterial cells and their roles in disease curing.
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Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation generates an oxidative stress in plant cells due to excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can denature enzymes and damage important cellular components. In the present study, an important medicinal plant Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) was subjected to two doses of supplemental UV-B radiation (sUV-B): sUV1 (+1.8 kJ m-2 d-1) and sUV2 (+3.6 kJ m–2 d–1) to evaluate the relative response of antioxidant defense potential. Stimulation of activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was observed at initial growth period while the activities of CAT and SOD decreased at later age of sampling. sUV-B induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) was observed showing alteration of membrane properties. No definite trend of change was observed for ascorbic acid (AsA), while increaments in thiol, proline, phenol and protein contents were observed due to sUV-B. Results suggested that sUV-B radiation may stimulate the enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense system of Acorus plants, showing its better adaptation at lower dose of sUV-B.
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Acorus calamus Linn. (Family: Araceae) is an aromatic semi-aquatic perennial marshy herb. Experimental studies have indicated the efficacy of this plant against various types of epileptic seizures, but the results vary with the models and the type of extract used. These conflicting reports and the unavailability of the data regarding the effects of aqueous extract of Acorus calamus (AEAC) prompted us to evaluate the efficacy of AEAC on electrical and chemical induced seizures in albino mice. Either normal saline or sodium valproate or AEAC was given sixty minutes prior to the experiment in acute study, whereas in chronic study, they were given twice daily for ten days and the last dose was given one hour prior to the exposure of the animal either to maximal electrical shock (MES) or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) administration. On acute administration, AEAC dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES induced seizure which was comparable to that produced by sodium valproate. Whereas, in PTZ induced seizures, the test drug decreased the latency and increased the duration of seizures as well as mortality. On repeated administration (chronic study) the test drug significantly reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension and also the clonus phase of MES induced seizures. However, in PTZ induced seizures, results were similar to that obtained in acute study. Results indicates that AEAC has protective effect against MES, but not against PTZ induced seizures.
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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical constituents of essential oil of Acorus calamus from different habitats in order to provide scientific basis of exploitation of A.calamus.METHODS: The essential oil was extracted from A.calamus by steam distillation.The chemical constituents were analyzed by GC-MS.The relative contents of chemical constituents were calculated using normalization method.RESULTS: 39 kinds of chemical components were identified in A.calamus from Yunnan province,accounting for 80.51% of total amount of essential oil.37 kinds of chemical components were identified in A.calamus from Sichuan province,accounting for 81.96% of total amount of essential oil.There were 31 kinds of same chemical constituents in A.calamus from Yunnan province and Sichuan province.The content of ?-asarone was highest in A.calamus from Yunnan province (13.46%) and that of ?-asarone was highest in A.calamus from Sichuan province (10.01%).CONCLUSION:The study can provide scientific basis for the further development of A.calamus.