Acorus Calamus: An Ancient Remedy with Modern Medicinal Applications

Abstract

The aim of the paper is provided information regarding incredible medicinal herb AcorusCalamus and its extract has various medicinal benefits like Anti diabetic activity, anti hypertensive effect, cytotoxic effect , immunosuppressive activity , antifungal activity , analgesic and anticonvulsant effect, bronchodilatory activity , licicidal activity, wound healing activity, coronary vasodilator effect, anti-cancer activity.The phytochemical constituent present in extract of oil are a-asarone, b-asarone, c-asarone, calamine, calamenenol, calameone, a-pinene,b-pinene, camphene, p-cymene, eugenyl acetate, eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl isoeugenol, calamol, azulene, eugenol methyl ether, dipentene, methyleeugenol, asaronealdehyde, terpinolene, 1,8-cineole

Keywords

Introduction

Figure 1 –AcorusCalamus plant with roots

Figure 2 – Dried roots of Acoruscalamus

Figure 3 – AcorusCalamus plant

Nootropic Activity:

The neuropsychopharmacological impact of BramhiGhrita (BG), a polyherbalformulation, on memory and learning processes in mice using the Morris water maze model and rats using the Elevated Plus maze. Acoruscalamus may be found in BG. Its impact on memory and learning processes was evaluated at doses of 30, 50, and100 mg/kg, p.o. In the treatment of memory impairment, BG may serve as a supportive adjuvant as well as a memory enhancer formulation.

Anti?diabetic Activity:

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted on normal rats. Male albinorats were treated with STZ (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) to induce diabetes. Diabetic rats were given 200 mg/kg of AC extract orally for 21 days to assess its anti-hyperglycemic efficacy by biochemical markers. Results indicated considerable normalization of blood glucose levels. After 21 days of treatment, blood glucose, lipid profile, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase levels, and hepatic indicators were decreased compared to diabetic controls. Significantly higher levels of plasma insulin, tissue glycogen, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were observed compared to diabetes controls. Histopathological examinations of the pancreas revealed that extracts can regenerate cells that were previously killed by STZ.

Antihypertensive effect:

Calamus was tested for its antihypertensive properties in rats with HFD-induced hypertension, both alone and with Gymnemasylvestre. After administering the HFD for 4 weeks, the average Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) increased significantly. At a dose of 200 mg/kg, A. Calamus and G. Sylvestre considerably reduced blood pressure and heart rate. A. Calamus and G. Sylvestre demonstrated a synergistic effect when used together, as opposed to separately.

Anti-obesity effect:

Research was done on animals to examine the anti-obesity properties of the asaronecompound that was separated from the rhizome. Together with metabolic alterations, the asarone-treated adipose rats showed decreased adipokine variation, elevated cholesterol, glucose intolerance, and weight loss. An in vitro investigation showed that the aqueous extract of A. Calamus has a lipid-lowering effect by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase percentage (28.73%).

Cytotoxic Effect:

Rajkumar et al. Investigated the cytotoxic effects of methanolic and aqueous extractsfrom the Acoruscalamus plant. The study concluded that it may work against cytotoxicity in a time and concentration-dependent manner. [23]

Immunosuppressive Activity:

Malhotra et al. Assessed the ethanolic extract of Acoruscalamus’santicellular and immunosuppressive properties. The rhizome of Acoruscalamus exhibited immunosuppressive and antiproliferative qualities in its ethanolic extract. This extract induces tumor necrosis, which prevents the growth of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells triggered by antigens, mitogens, nitric oxide, and interleukins-2.

Antifungal activity:

Ethanol extracts of 40 higher plants from 23 different groups have been used to test the antifungal activity of many phytopathogenic fungi. A. Calamus and Piper betel were the two plants having the strongest antifungal activity. All six test pathogens’ mycelial growth was completely (100%) suppressed by the highest antifungal activity of A. Calamus rhizome extract. When piper betel was employed, the majority of the test fungus displayed more than 50% inhibition. Ethanolic extracts from a variety of higher plants could be used as a substitute source of antifungal medications to protect crops or plants from fungal infestation

Bronchodilatory activity:

Pharmacological research was conducted on the traditional use of A. Calamus for treating respiratory diseases. To discover the mechanisms, isolated guinea pig trachea and atria were suspended in carbogen-filled organ baths and analyzed using various parameters. A. Calamus crude extract outperformed carbachol in relaxing high K+ (80 mM) regeneration, similar to verapamil. This shows that calcium channels are inhibited.

Analgesic and anticonvulsant activity:

The plant’s methanolic root extracts were tested for analgesic activity using two methods: acetic acid-induced Writhing reaction and Rat caudal immersion. anticonvulsant activity was assessed using pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion methods. Oral therapy at dosages of 0.1 g/kg and 0.2 g/kg protected mice against pain models. Methanolic root extract significantly increased the latency time of mouse seizures induced by Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Researchers used MES and PTZ-induced seizure models using albino (Wistar strain) rats to test the anticonvulsant effects of an ethanolic root extract. The study found that extract treatment reduced the time needed for tonic hind limb extension in the MES model, but convulsion latency and occurrence increased in the PTZ model.

Antispasmodic and Antidiarrhoeal activity:

The crude extract AC, containing alkaloid, saponins, and tannins, reduced both spontaneous and high K+ (80 mm) caused contractions in rabbit jejunum preparation, with EC50 values of 0.42.0.06 mg/mL and 0.13.0.04 mg/mL. Showing signs of spasmolytic action, which could be caused by calcium channel blockade (CCB). These results imply that the n-hexane fraction’s concentration of CCB-like constituents mediated the plant extract’s spasmolytic effect, and this study offers a solid mechanistic foundation for its widespread application in gastrointestinal conditions like diarrhea and colic pain.

Repellent and Oviposition Deterrent Activity:

In a free choice bioassay, sweet flag (Acoruscalamus L.) and five other plant extracts in petroleum ether, acetone, and ethanol were tested for their ability to repel and deter peach fruit fly Bactrocerazonata. Curcuma longa petroleum ether extract, as well as Peganumharmala ethanol and acetone extracts, were found to be effective tepellents against peach fruit fly. Acetone and ethanol extracts of Acoruscalamus L. have been proven to effectively resist and prevent oviposition.

Anti-HIV activity:

For HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, 40 traditional Asian therapeutic herbs were investigated. The results showed that the rhizomes of the plants Cinnamomumloureiroi, Quercusinfectoria, Plumbagoindica L., and A. Calamus Linn had strong inhibitory effects on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase when crude extracts were added. The effectiveness of the anti-HIV 1RT activity was assessed using 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50). This showed that the hexane crude extracts from A. Calamus L. and heterophyllus Lam. Were highly effective against HIV-1 RT.

Anti-ischemic Heart Disease Activity:

A clinical trial on 45 patients with ischemic heart disease at S.S Hospital BHU evaluated the efficacy of the medication Acoruscalamus. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received the trial medicine in a daily dose of 1.5-3 g divided across three months. The second group received purified ‘guggulu’, whereas the control group was given a capsule with lactose powder. Both the first and second groups showed encouraging progress. The medication was found to be useful in reducing body weight index, improving ECG, alleviating chest pain, and causing dyspnea with exertion. Lowering serum cholesterol, raising serum high density lipoproteins (SHDL), and lowering serum low density lipoproteins (SLDL).

Antihepatotoxic Activities:

Based on histological and biochemical data, it was found that the ethanol extract AC provides hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects against rats’ liver damage caused by acetaminophen. The conventional medication silymarin (25 mg/kg B/W) and the ethanol extract of AC (500 mg/kg B/W) have similar levels of action.

Licicidal Activity:

Four solvents—hexane, chloroform, methanol, and distilled water—were used in an extensive sequential extraction process on dried A. Calamus rhizomes. In vitro licicidal activity of all four fractions was investigated using the goat-lice Damaliniacaprae (Trichodectidae) as the experimental organism. The only fractions that exhibited licicidal activity were n-hexane and chloroform. Comparing concentrations of 1% w/w and 10% w/w to 1% w/w lindane solution, a significant reduction in the mean time needed to kill the lice was noted.

Insulin Sensitizing Activity:

The study aims to assess the insulin-sensitizing and anti-diabetic properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of Acoruscalamus L. (ACE). Insulin-mediated glucose consumption was identified in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. Diabetes and related consequences were studied in genetically obese diabetic C57BL/Ks db/db mice following daily oral administration for three weeks. ACE enhanced glucose intake via insulin in L6 cells (P < 0>

Wound-healing Activity:

Excision and incision-based wound models were used to create wounds in rats of both sexes. The extracts were applied topically once daily in 40% and 20% w/w concentrations as an ointment and compared to a conventional medication (povidion-iodine). The wound healing process was evaluated based on wound closure rate, epithelialization period, granulation tissue strength and weight, hydroxyproline content, and histology. Ethanolic extract of Acoruscalamusignificantly improved wound healing activity in both models investigated. Acoruscalamus extract has been shown to improve wound healing by enhanced contraction, shorter epithelialization time, increased hydroxyproline content, and histological changes.

Synergistic Anthelmintic Activity:

According to Merekar et al., the root portion of Vitexnegundo and the rhizomes of Acoruscalamus have synergistic anthelmintic activity. According to the study, A. Calamus and V. Negundoethanolic extracts have dose-dependent anthelmintic action against earthworms. Additionally, the combined anthelmintic activity of A. Calamus and V. Negundo is more potent than either plant’s activity alone. A commercially available medication served as the standard reference medicine for this investigation.

Radioprotection and DNA Repair Activity:

Exposing animals to 4 Gy ?-irradiation caused significant DNA damage in peripheral blood leucocytes, bone marrow cells, and splenocytes. An alkaline comet assay showed that whole-body ?-irradiation increased nuclear DNA comet parameters in these cells, including tail length, tail moment, and olive tail moment. Mice were given 250 mg/kg body weight of Acoruscalamus extract orally 1 hour before exposure to whole-body ?-irradiation. This prevented an increase in cellular DNA comet parameters. Comet parameters decreased with post-irradiation time, indicating less radiation-induced DNA damages due to repair.

Coronary Vasodilator Effect:

Using isolated bovine coronary artery rings suspended in tissue baths filled with krebs solution, kept at 37°C, and aerated with carbogen, the effect of a coronary vasodilator was investigated. Responses were recorded using a Power Lab data acquisition system. Activity-directed fractionation showed that endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated activity is concentrated in the n-Hexane fraction, while crude extract of Acoruscalamus (Ac.Cr) inhibited U46619 (20 nM) precontractions in bovine coronary artery preparations. These findings suggest that the increase in coronary flow is caused by Ac. Cr mediating the coronary vasodilator action predominantly through EDHF.

Anticancer Activity:

The anticancer properties of Acoruscalamus rhizomes were assessed by Gaidhani et Al. They made a hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula, Acoruscalamusrhizome, and Glycyrrhizaglabra root, and they investigated their anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects. According to the results, each of these plant components exhibits strong anti-proliferative properties.

Anti-seizures Activity:

To assess the effectiveness of an aqueous extract of Acoruscalamus (AEAC) on electrical and chemical seizures in albino mice. In acute studies, animals were given either normal saline, sodium valproate, or AEAC 60 minutes before the experiment. in chronic studies, animals were given twice daily for ten days, with the final dose administered one hour before exposure to MES or PTZ.

Conclusion:

The collected information regarding the sweet flag in world is matched with available herbs.It has rich history in Indian and Chinese culture it is very important ingredient in various cocktail preparation used for the treatment of treatment and management of Insomnia, headache, hysteria , fever body and severe inflammatory pain.

Results & Discussion

Acorus calamus exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, antifungal, analgesic, anticonvulsant, bronchodilatory, wound healing, and anticancer effects. These therapeutic actions are attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, comprising ?-asarone, ?-asarone, camphene, eugenol, p-cymene, and other bioactive compounds.

The plant’s anti-diabetic and antihypertensive effects are linked to improved insulin secretion and blood pressure regulation. Its cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities demonstrate potential for cancer treatment and immune modulation. The antifungal and wound-healing properties highlight its dermatological applications, while its bronchodilatory and anticonvulsant effects indicate respiratory and neurological benefits.

These findings support the therapeutic versatility of Acorus calamus, making it a promising candidate for pharmaceutical development. Further clinical validation and dosage optimization are necessary to establish its full medicinal potential

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