Beta-asarone medical uses and studies
Beta asarone appears to have activity against seizures. Beta asarone is found in Acorus calamus herb.
Bioanalytical investigation of asarone in connection
with Acorus calamus oil intoxications.
J Anal Toxicol. 2009 Nov-Dec; Björnstad K, Helander A, Hultén P, Beck O.
Alcohol Laboratory, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet,
Stockholm, Sweden.
Preparations of the plant Acorus calamus (calamus or sweet flag) (A. calamus)
are available via internet trade and marketed as being hallucinogenic. In
2003-2006, the Swedish Poisons Information Centre received inquiries about 30
clinical cases of intentional intoxication with A. calamus products. The present
investigation aimed to identify alpha- and beta-asarone, considered active
components of A. calamus, and metabolites thereof in urine samples collected in
seven of these cases. To further aid the identification of asarone
biotransformation products, a calamus oil preparation was incubated with the
fungus Cunninghamella elegans, which is used as a microbial model of mammalian
drug metabolism. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in
selected ion monitoring mode, alpha-asarone was detected in five urine samples
at concentrations ranging between approximately 11 and 1150 microg/L and beta-asarone
in four of those at approximately 22-220 microg/L. A previously identified
asarone metabolite, trans-2,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (trans-TMC), was
detected in the fungus broth by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
whereas cis-TMC was tentatively identified in the human urine samples. Using
GC-MS, a hydroxylated asarone metabolite was identified both in fungus broth and
urine samples. However, this study demonstrated no evidence for the presence of
2,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine, claimed as a hallucinogenic component of A. calamus.
The main clinical symptom reported by the patients was prolonged vomiting that
sometimes lasted more than 15 h.
Effects of beta-asarone on expression of FOS and GAD65
in cortex of epileptic rat induced by penicillin
Zhong Yao Cai. 2008 Jan; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University
of TCM, Guangzhou 510405, China.
To study effects of beta-asarone on expression of FOS and GAD65 in cortex of
epileptic rat induced by penicillin. The epileptic animal models were induced by
penicillin. The rats were randomly divided into beta-asarone of high (100
mg/kg), medium (50 mg/kg), low (25 mg/kg) dose group, positive control group (Phenytoin
sodium), negative control group (matrix). The medicine was administered orally.
The effects of beta-asarone on expression of FOS and GAD65 in cortex of
epileptic rat were detected by immuohistochemistry method. Beta-asarone could
raise expression of FOS and reduce expression of GAD65 obviously. There were
significant differences between negative control group and beta-asarone group.
And it showed significant dose-effect relationship. Up-regulation of FOS may be
a effective link of anti-epileptic effect of beta-asarone; reduced expression of
GAD65 may be a follow-up impact of beta-asarone treatment.
Beta-asarone can increase the expression of c-fos in
epilepsy rat brain. It is an important response to epilepsy.
Beta-asarone prevents the toxicity of glutamate
Pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats
Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2004 Oct; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of
TCM, Guangzhou 510405, China.
To study the pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats. 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. 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. 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.
Acori graminei rhizoma has a volatile oil rich in beta-asarone
Can this plant extract be used with
epimedium extract?
We have not seen studies with this combination.
Home bilberry extract benefit side effects