Effect of borneol, moschus, storax, and acorus tatarinowii on expression levels of four amino acid neurotransmitters in the rat corpus striatum

The present study collected cerebrospinal fluid samples from the corpus striatum in rats treated with borneol, moschus, storax, and acorus tatarinowii using brain microdialysis technology. Levels of excitatory neurotransmitters aspartic acid and glutamate, as well as inhibitory neurotransmitters glycine and ^-aminobutyric acid, were measured in samples using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, phosphate gradient elution, and fluorescence detection. Results showed that concentrations of all four amino acid neurotransmitters significantly increased in the corpus striatum following treatment with borneol or moschus, but effects due to borneol were more significant than moschus. Acorus tatarinowii treatment increased ^-aminobutyric acid expression, but decreased glutamate concentrations. Storax increased aspartic acid concentrations and decreased glycine expression. Results demonstrated that borneol and moschus exhibited significant effects on con amino acid neurotransmitter expression; storax exhibited excitatory effects and acorus tatarinowii resulted in inhibitory effects.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of the Extract and Compound from Acorus tatarinowii Against Seven Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Acorus tatarinowii Schott is a traditional Chinese medicine plant and has multiple bioactivities in medicine and pesticide field. In this study, the antifungal compound 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene was isolated from A. tatarinowii Schott by activity-directed isolation method, and the inhibitory activity of the extract and 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene against seven plant pathogenic fungi was evaluated. The results showed that the extract and 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2- propenyl） benzene had high inhibitory activity against hyphal growth of Thielaviopsis paradoxa （de Seynes） V. Hohnel, Pestalotia mangiferae P. Henn., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum （E. F. Smith） Syn. et Hans., Alternaria alternate Tanaka, Colletotrichum musae （Berk et Curt） V. Arx, Sphaceloma fawcettii Jenk., and Mycosphaerella sentina （Fr.） Schroter. The EC50 values of extract were 1.6162, 1.6811, 1.1253, 3.5771, 1.7024, 2.2284, and 2.2221 g L^-1, respectively, and the EC50 values of 1,2-dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene were 0.1021, 0.0997, 0.0805, 0.1742, 0.1503, 0.1853, and 0.1924 g L^-1, respectively. 1,2-Dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene also inhibited spores germination of T. paradoxa （de Seynes） V. Hohnel and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum （E. F. Smith） Syn. et Hans., with the inhibitory rates of 98.81 and 100% at a concentration of 0.4 g L^-1 after 8 h, respectively. 1,2-Dimethoxy-4（2-propenyl） benzene is a potential botanical antifungal agent for controling of plant fungal diseases.

Evaluation of antidepressant activity of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Acorus calamus L.rhizome through tail suspension test and forced swimming test of mice

Objective:Acorus calamus(AC)L.(Araceae)is an annual semi-aquatic and aromatic plant found in Europe,North America and Asia.Its rhizomes are often used by Native Americans,Americans,and Chinese as well as by other cultures.Ethnobotanical studies and documents have shown their use in various disease treatments,such as insomnia,mental disorders,diabetes mellitus,epilepsy,inflammation,asthma,neuropathic pain,and diarrhea.In this study,the antidepressant activity of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of the AC rhizome part in mice was investigated.Methods:Three doses of methanolic extract of AC rhizome(MEACR)(25,50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt),three doses of hydroalcoholic extract of AC rhizome(HAACR)(100,200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt),and standards(imipramine,15 mg/kg b.wt and fluoxetine,20 mg/kg b.wt)was daily oral administration to the mice for consecutive 14 days.The extract effect on the immobility time was monitored by a tail suspension test(TST)and a forced swimming test(FST).Monoamine oxidase(MAO)levels were also analyzed using standard methods.Results:The optimum antidepressant activity was viewed at 100 mg/kg b.wt of MEACR extract and400 mg/kg b.wt of HAACR extract with 23.82%and 20.59%immobility period reduction,respectively.Besides,the extracts weakened the FST-induced elevation of MAO activity significantly and returned to near-normal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.100 mg/kg b.wt or above of MEACR extract significantly prevented the MAO-A and MAO-B activities in mice brain at a dose-dependent fashion.But,just 400 mg/kg b.wt of HAACR extract prevented the activity of MAO-A and MAO-B.Fluoxetine and imipramine showed a tendency to prevent the activity of MAO-A and MAO-B.Conclusion:This study suggests that AC rhizome extract mediated antidepressant activity by modulating the central neurochemical and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in response to FST and TSTinduced stress.Therefore,AC rhizome extract can be used as a valuable plant supplement to treat depressive disorders.

Protective effect of rhizome extracts of the herb, vacha (Acorus calamus) against oxidative damage: An in vivo and in vitro study

The rhizome of Acorus calamus,an herb widely used in Indian system of medicine for many ailments including epilepsy,mental illness and rheumatism,was subjected to soxhlet extraction to elucidate antioxidant property of different solvent extracts using in vitro assays.The benzene extract was most potent in scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and in reducing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power.In addition the benzene extract prevented oxidative damage to DNA and mitochondria.It was also effective in preventing stress-induced decrease in total plasma anti-oxidant activity as determined in vivo using rat model wherein stress was induced by exposing to restraint and forced swimming.The minimum effective dose of the benzene extract was 5 mg/kg body weight(oral),and at this dose,its effect was similar to the same dose of a standard anti-oxidant,ascorbic acid.The study for the first time,clearly demonstrates a potent anti-oxidant activity of A.calamus combining in vitro and in vivo results.Hence,the therapeutic value of this herb maybe due to its anti-oxidant property.©2016 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Population genetic structure and diversity of high value vulnerable medicinal plant Acorus calamus in India using RAPD and chloroplast microsatellite markers

Acorus calamus is a highly valued medicinal plant with global distribution used in several drugs of health care systems. We evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of 50 populations of A. calamus from different geographical regions in India through RAPD and chloroplast microsatellite markers. From the total screened 82 RAPD primers and 18 cpSSR primers, 10 RAPD and nine cpSSRs were found polymorphic. The selected 10 RAPD primers produced a total of 96 reproducible bands, out of which 65 were polymorphic （67.70%）. Whereas, the selected nine cpSSR markers produced 26 alleles and all of them were polymorphic. The mean genetic diversity （H T ） among populations using RAPD （H T = 0.263） and cpSSR （H T = 0.530） markers was higher in comparison to the mean genetic diversity within populations. Mean coefficient of gene differentiation （G ST ） between the populations was also high for both RAPD （G ST = 0.830） and cpSSR markers （G ST = 0.735）, whereas the estimated gene flow was very low for RAPD （Nm = 0.102） and for cpSSR （Nm = 0.179）. AMOVA analysis revealed that more genetic variation resided among the populations than within populations. Significant differences （p 0.001） were observed between the populations and individuals within the populations. Cluster analysis of RAPD and cpSSR data using UPGMA algorithm based on Nei’s genetic similarity matrix placed the 50 populations into two main clusters. The implication of the results of this study in devising strategy for conservation of A. calamus is discussed.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Curcuma longa, Acorus calamus and Camellia sinensis

The purpose of the current study was to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content and total antioxidant activity of the Curcuma longa, Acorus calamus, and Camellia sinensis ethanolic extracts and their free radical scavenging activity. The study concluded that the Curcuma longa, Acorus calamus, and Camellia sinensis ethanolic extracts have a good source of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant sources in turn which opens the high possibility of the extracts being used as food preservatives. The DPPH assay for scavenging free radicals showed that the IC50 value was above 123% of Curcuma longa ethanolic extract, 129.9% μg/ml of Acorus calamus ethanolic extract and 25% of Camellia sinensis ethanolic extracts shows very strong inhibition of the free radicals. Thus, comparing the DPPH assay for scavenging free radicals of Curcuma longa, Acorus calamus and Camellia sinensis ethanolic extracts with the positive control ascorbic acid, Curcuma longa and Camellia sinensis ethanolic extracts showed strong inhibition of the free radicals.

Isolation and characterization of insecticidal activity of （Z）- asarone from Acorus calamus L.

The insecticidal activity of Acorus calamus L. rhizome-derived material against adults of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky was examined by using repellency method and contact toxicity. The biologically active constituent of the A. calamus rhizome was separated and identified. The results showed that the ethanol extract of A. calamus had strong repellency and contact effect to S. zeamais and the active constituent of the A. calamus was characterized as （Z）-asarone by spectroscopic analysis. Responses from the tests varied with exposure times and doses. In the repellency test, ethanol extract of A. calamus had 93.92% repellency at 629.08 μg/cm^2 but only 71.38% at 157.27 μg/cm^2 12 h after treatment. As a contrast, （Z）-asarone showed 84.50% repellency at 314.54μg/cm^2 and 77.02% at 78.63 μg/cm^2 12 h after treatment. In the filter paper diffusion test, ethanol extract of A. calamus caused 95.56% and 17.78% mortality to S. zeamais at 314.54 μg/cm^2 and 78.63 μg/ cm^2 4 days after treatment, while （Z）-asarone brought about 100.00% and 15.56% mortality at 40.89 μg/cm^2 and 15.73 μg/cm^2 respectively. These results indicate that the insecticidal activity of the A. calamus extract may be due to （Z）-asarone.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis on compounds in volatile oils extracted from Yuan Zhi(Radix Polygalae) and Shi Chang Pu(Acorus Tatarinowii) by supercritical CO_2

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the constituents of volatile oils extracted from Yuan Zhi(Radix Polygalae),Shi Chang Pu(Acorus Tatarinowii),and a mixture of the two herbs.METHODS:The volatile oils were extracted using supercritical fluid extraction(SFE) with CO 2,and the constituents of the volatile oil extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The relative content of each component was calculated using peak area normalization.RESULTS:The optimized SFE conditions were 45 MPa at 35℃ for 2 h.Twenty-four compounds were identified in the extract from the Yuan Zhi(Radix Polygalae) and Shi Chang Pu(Acorus Tatarinowii) mixture,and six of these had relative contents >1.These compounds were 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-benzene;1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-(2-propenyl)-benzene;β-asarone;(Z,Z) 9,12-octadecadienoic acid;(Z) 6-octadecenoic acid;and ethyl oleate.Combination of the herbs increased the number of pharmacologically active substances in the extract and decreased the number of compounds with one benzene ring compared with the extracts from the individual herbs.CONCLUSION:These results indicate there is a synergistic relationship among the compounds in these herbs.

Contact and fumigant toxicities of calamusenone isolated from Acorus gramineus rhizome against adults of Sitophilus zeamais and Rhizopertha dominica

Calamusenone [3,8-dimethyl-5-（1-methylethylidene）- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octa- hydroazulene-6-one, C15H22O] from Acorus gramineus Soland rhizome was tested in the laboratory for its insecticidal activities against adults of Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. and Rhizopertha dominica （Fab.）, using dry film contact and fumigation methods. Responses varied with insect species, dosage and exposure time. In the dry film contact experiment, the highest insecticidal effects of calamusenone against S. zeamais and R. dominica adults were produced at 170.32μg/cm2 after treatment for 72 h, with 96.2% and 98.7% mortalities, respectively. The median lethal concentration （LC50） （72 h） values of calamusenone against S. zeamais and R. dominica adults were 67.00 μg/cm2 and 77.30 μg/cm2, respectively. As a potential fumigant, calamusenone showed moderate insecticidal effect on the adults of S. zeamais and R. dominica in fumigation experiment, with their LC50 （120 h） values of 125.71μL/L and 93.64μL/L respectively. Calamusenone isolated from A. gramineus rhizome showed promise as a novel pesticide candidate for stored-product pest control.

Study on Perfume Stimulating Olfaction with Volatile Oil of Acorus Gramineus for Treatment of the Alzheimer’s Disease Rat

Objective:To probe into the therapeutic efect of perfume stimulating olfaction with volatile oil of Acorus Gramineus on the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rat. Methods: Totally 50 adult SD rats, male,weighing 300±10 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal group (group A), olfactory nerve severing model group (group B), AD model group (group C), AD model plus perfume stimulation group (group D), AD model olfactory nerve severing plus perfume stimulation group (group E), 10 rats in each group. After perfume stimulation, Morris maze test was conducted for valuating the learning and memory ability; Malondaldehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the brain, and the brain weight were detected. Results: Compared with the AD model group,the average escape latency and swimming distance in 6 days were significantly shorter than those in the group A, B, D (P<0.01), with no significant differences between the group C and the group E (P>0.05); Compared with the group A, B and D, MDA content in the group C significantly increased (P<0.01), and SOD and GSH-Px activities significantly decreased (P<0.01), and brain weight/body weight decreased significantly in the group C (P<0.01), with no significant differences between the group C and the group E (P>0.05). Conclusion: Perfume stimultating olfaction with volatile oil of Acorus Gramineus can significantly increase the learning-memory ability, decrease MDA content and increase SOD and GSH-Px activities and weight of brain in AD rats.

A new anti-diabetic sesquiterpenoid from Acorus calamus

A new sesquiterpenoid, 1β,5α-guaiane-4β,10α-diol-6-one （1）, was isolated from 70% EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Acorus calamus. The structure was determined on spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by TDDFT quantum chemical calculation of its ECD spectrum. Compound 1 showed promising anti-diabetic activity on a insulin-mediated glucose consumption model of HepG2 cells.

Two pairs of chlorine-containing phenylpropanoid enantiomers from Acorus tatarinowii

Two pairs of chlorine-containing phenylpropanoid enantiomers（1a/1b and 2a/2b） were isolated from the rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii. Interestingly, these optical isomers（1a/1b and 2a/2b） were co-existed in the same plant, which were characterized as the first halogen-containing natural products from the genus Acorus. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction, assisted by a modified Mosher＇s method. The phenylpropanoid isomers（1a/1b and 2a/2b） were evaluated for their antioxidant activities using DPPH assay and cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines.

菖蒲对不同程度富营养化水体的适应性研究

对5种不同程度富营养化水体中的菖蒲(Acorus calamusL.)在静态培养过程中的叶片长度变化、叶片数目变化进行了观测,比较了培养后各水体中菖蒲根长、根数、鲜重、根活力、叶绿素含量、叶片可溶性总糖含量、鲜重增量和根系活力的差异。研究发现,菖蒲在5种不同程度富营养化水体中均能正常生长。在非极度富营养化的水体组中,水体富营养化程度越高,菖蒲生长越好。但在极度富营养水体中,菖蒲根系生长受到抑制,其根短且须根多,且叶片生长对此水体有一段适应期,试验前8 d,其中菖蒲叶片长度增长明显小于重度富营养,8 d后,叶片生长速度高于其他处理组。结果表明,菖蒲具有较好的耐污性、耐贫瘠性,较适合于在中、高度富营养水体中生长,在水体生态修复工程中具有良好的应用前景。

水菖蒲药学研究概况

在广泛文献检索基础上,对水菖蒲的成分、药理、临床应用、代表性膳食及应用注意事项的研究进展进行综述,为进一步药物开发利用提供资料。

Neuroprotective mechanism of Kai Xin San: upregulation of hippocampal insulin-degrading enzyme protein expression and acceleration of amyloid-beta degradation

Kai Xin San is a Chinese herbal formula composed of Radix Ginseng, Poria, Radix Polygalae and Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizome. It has been used in China for many years for treating amnesia. Kai Xin San ameliorates amyloid-β （Aβ） induced cognitive dysfunction and is neuroprotective in vivo, but its precise mechanism remains unclear. Expression of insulin-degrading enzyme （IDE）, which degrades Aβ, is strongly correlated with cognitive function. Here, we injected rats with exogenous Aβ42 （200 μM, 5 μL） into the hippocampus and subsequently administered Kai Xin San （0.54 or 1.08 g/kg/d） intragastrically for 21 consecutive days. Hematoxylin eosin and Nissl staining revealed that Kai Xin San protected neurons against Aβ-induced damage. Furthermore, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, western blot and polymerase chain reaction results showed that Kai Xin San decreased Aβ42 protein levels and increased expression of IDE protein, but not mRNA, in the hippocampus. Our findings reveal that Kai Xin San facilitates hippocampal Aβ degradation and increases IDE expression, which leads, at least in part, to the alleviation of hippocampal neuron injury in rats.

商品流通中菖蒲的品种解读

石菖蒲为天南星科Araceae菖蒲属Acorus植物石菖蒲Acorustatarinowii Schott的根茎。天南星科植物有110属2000多种,我国分布有25属130余种,其中菖蒲属植物有6种,我国均产。目前商品药材中,菖蒲入药主要为石菖蒲和水菖蒲（Acoruscalamus L.）。水菖蒲在民间广为应用,2010年版《中国药典》以＂藏菖蒲＂之名收载。其他均为民间或地方用种：金钱蒲Acorustatarinoii Soland var.pusillus（Siob.）Engl.茴香菖蒲Acorusmacrospediceus（Yamamoto）F.N.Wei et Y.K.Li宽叶菖蒲Acoruslatifolius Z.Y.Zhu和香叶菖蒲Acorusxiangyeus Z.Y Zhu。

菖蒲:上得案头,入得香囊

菖蒲是江南地区比较常见的一种水生湿地植物,属天南星科植物,为多年生草本。常见有两个种：一种生活在湿地淤泥中,通常称之为菖蒲,Acorus calamus;一种多野生于山涧溪流和水石缝隙处,称为石菖蒲Acorus tatarinowii。前者有着高大剑形叶片,后者叶片矮小密集成丛,二者都有匍匐蜿蜒的根茎。植物界中中文名字带“菖蒲”有不少,唐菖蒲和黄菖蒲。唐葛蒲是重要的鲜切花植物,属于“世界四大切花”之一。

Inhibition of P2X_7 Receptor by Extracts of Chinese Medicine

Objective： To investigate the influence of Acorus gramineus （Soland）, a crude extract, SCP01, and a purified component, SCP02, and of Rosmarinus officinalis L., X0728 on human mast cells （HMC-1 Cell Line）. Methods： Current-voltage of P2X7 receptors on human mast cell membrane activated by ATP was recorded by the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results： The current at -100 mV mediated by P2X7 was inhibited by （27.6 ± 2.0） % in the presence of 40 μg/mL SCP01 and by （29.5 ± 2.2） % in the presence of 40 μg/mL SCP02, which was identified as α-asarone. 42 μg/mL of the commercially available α-asarone inhibited the P2X7-mediated current by （52.2 ± 2.0） %. In contrast to SCP01 and SCP02, 40 μg/mL X0728 provoked stimulation of the current by （28.6 ± 2.8） %. All effects were voltage- independent. Conclusion： The inhibition of P2X7 by α-asarone will inhibit intracellular calcium increase and this may account for the inhibition of reported excitotoxic cell death. The pharmacological function of P2X7 stimulation by X0728 needs further investigation.