• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.149-157
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• 2008

Objectives: This study was to analyze the content changes of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone in A. gramineus according to its parts, extraction method, and fermentation. Methods: The change of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone was analysed with GC/MS, IR, and NMR. Results: In A. gramineus, ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone in rhizome are 7 times and 4 times more than those in leaves respectively. And, in water extract of Acori Graminei Rhizoma, ${\beta}$-asarone was reduced to 77.8%-83.5%, and ${\alpha}$-asarone was reduced to 69.4%-72.2% compared with 50% MeOH extract. The amounts of ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone were decreased apparently by 1 and 3 weeks fermantation with yeast activated solution. Conclusions: There was a change in the content of asarone pursuant to the medicinal part, extraction solvent, and fermentation. This result can be used as the basic data contributing to the stability of A. gramineus according to an appropriate clinical application.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

${\alpha}$-Asarone exhibits a number of pharmacological actions including neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anticonvulsive, and cognitive enhancing action. The present study investigated the effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone on pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA, microglial activation, and neuronal damage in the hippocampus and on learning and memory deficits in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Varying doses of ${\alpha}$-asarone was orally administered (7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days before the LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA at 4 and 24 hours after the LPS injection at dose of 30 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the LPS injection, the loss of CA1 neurons, the increase of TUNEL-labeled cells, and the up-regulation of BACE1 expression in the hippocampus were attenuated by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced Iba1 protein expression in the hippocampal tissue at a dose of 30 mg/kg. ${\alpha}$-Asarone did not reduce the number of Iba1-expressing microglia on immunohistochemistry but the average cell size and percentage areas of Iba1-expressing microglia in the hippocampus were significantly decreased by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. In the Morris water maze test, ${\alpha}$-asarone significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in the target and peri-target zones. ${\alpha}$-Asarone also significantly increased the number of target heading and memory score in the Morris water maze. The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus by ${\alpha}$-asarone may be one of the mechanisms for the ${\alpha}$-asarone-mediated ameliorating effect on memory deficits.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2013

A quantitative method using ultra performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (UPLCPDA) was established for the analysis of 2 major plant metabolites: ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone from Acorus gramineus, A. tatarinowii, A. calamus and Anemone altaica, and their contents are compared with other herbs of Acorus species. The method was validated according to the International Conference on harmonization (ICH) guideline for validation of analytical procedures with respect to precision, accuracy, and linearity. The average content of ${\beta}$-asarone in Acorus gramineus was significantly higher than that in others, with the second highest concentration observed in A. tatarinowii, and only a trace amounts found in A. calamus and Anemone altaica. In contrast, the average content of ${\alpha}$-asarone in A. calamus was the highest, followed by that in Acorus gramineus and A. tatarinowii. principle component analysis (PCA) confirmed that ${\beta}$-asarone and ${\alpha}$-asarone content differed among the species. These results suggest that this UPLC-PDA method can be considered as good quality control criteria for Acorus gramineus.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.198-202
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• 2009

Based on the use of Acorus gramineus SOLAND (AG) for the treatment of stroke in traditional Korean medicine, the present study was carried out to evaluate neuroprotective effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone after transient global cerebral ischemia using rat 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) model in rats. ${\alpha}$-Asarone (5 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally significantly protected CA1 neurons against 10 min transient forebrain ischemia as demonstrated by measuring the density of neuronal cells stained with Cresyl violet. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal cell death by 85.2% where as its isolated single compounds from AG compared with a vehicle-treated group.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Acorus gramineus is of medicinal plants that exhibit variable biological activities for human health and against insect pests. The extracts of A. gramineus was examined in an attempt to develop a natural repellent against human disease-mediating Culex pipiens. METHODS AND RESULTS: The roots of A. gramineus dried under dark conditions were homogenized and extracted with ethanol. The extracts were subjected to repellent activity assays against C. pipiens in a hand-made acrylamide box with three accessible rooms. Significantly low number of mosquitos was found in the room previously fumigated with the extracts at 50 mg/L on the filter paper, exhibiting less than 20% of mosquitos tested. More than 50% of mosquitos tested was found in the room without the extracts, but less than 30% was found in the room that released mosquitos. GC/MS analysis detected ${\beta}$-asarone as a main component of the extracts. The commercial asarones (${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$) showed a repellent activity at 50 mg/L on the filter paper similar to the extracts. CONCLUSION(S): A. gramineus has potential for use as a mosquito repellent since ${\beta}$-asarone, a main component of the plant, exhibited a strong repellent activity against C. pipiens.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1099-1112
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dyslipidemia causes metabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver syndrome due to abnormally high blood lipids. Purple perilla frutescens extract (PPE) possesses various bioactive compounds such as α-asarone, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid. This study examined whether PPE and α-asarone improved dyslipidemia-associated inflammation and inhibited atheroma formation in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice, an experimental animal model of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: ApoE-deficient mice were fed on high cholesterol-diet (Paigen's diet) and orally administrated with 10-20 mg/kg PPE and α-asarone for 10 wk. RESULTS: The Paigen's diet reduced body weight gain in apoE-deficient mice, which was not restored by PPE or α-asarone. PPE or α-asarone improved the plasma lipid profiles in Paigen's diet-fed apoE-deficient mice, and despite a small increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and very LDL were significantly reduced. Paigen's diet-induced systemic inflammation was reduced in PPE or α-asarone-treated apoE-deficient mice. Supplying PPE or α-asarone to mice lacking apoE suppressed aorta atherogenesis induced by atherogenic diet. PPE or α-asarone diminished aorta accumulation of CD68- and/or F4/80-positive macrophages induced by atherogenic diet in apoE-deficient mice. Treatment of apoE-deficient mice with PPE and α-asarone resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein level and an increase in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase reduced by supply of Paigen's diet. Supplementation of PPE and α-asarone enhanced the transcription of hepatic apoA1 and SR-B1 reduced by Paigen's diet in apoE-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: α-Asarone in PPE inhibited inflammation-associated atheroma formation and promoted hepatic HDL-C trafficking in dyslipidemic mice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

We investigated the anxiolytic-like activity of ${\alpha}$-asarone (AAS) from Acorus gramineus in an experimental rat model of anxiety induced by repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). The putative anxiolytic effect of AAS was studied in behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and the hole-board test (HBT) in rats. For 21 consecutive days, male rats received 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg AAS (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily AAS (200 mg/kg) administration increased open-arm exploration significantly in the EPM test, and it increased the duration of head dipping activity in the HBT. It also blocked the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and decreased mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus. These results indicated that the administration of AAS prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, which are associated with modification of the central noradrenergic system and with BDNF function in rats. The current finding may improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for changes in emotions induced by repeated administration of high doses of CORT or by elevated levels of hormones associated with chronic stress. Thus, AAS did exhibit an anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of anxiety.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.737-744
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• 1998

The rhizomes of the Acorus gramineus Soland have been used as sedatives, analgesics, stomachics and anthelmintics in chinese medicine. It is known that the rhizomes of the Acorus gramineus Soland contains the essential oil about 0.5~0.8% and this essential oil contains asarone about 86%. The asarone possess many pharmacological properties similar to those of reserpine and chlorpromazine. Sedative and analgesic effects of essential oil of Acorus gramineus Solaad in mouse was observed. The essential oil of Acorus gramineus Soland decreased the frequency of ambulation on mouse in proportion of concentration. ${\alpha}_2$ receptor antagonist(yohimbine hydrochloride) and opioids receptor antagonist(naloxone hydrochloride) were markedly decreased in frequency of ambulation. The essential oil of Acorus gramineus Soland decreased writhing syndrome in mouse and ${\alpha}_2$ receptor antagonist(yohimbine hydrochloride), opioids receptor antagonist(naloxone hydrochloride) were not increased above effects. In conclusion, these experimental results show that the essential oil of Acorus gramineus Soland have sedative and analgesic effects, but it did not antagonized ${\alpha}_2$ receptor antagonist(yohimbine hydrochloride) and opioids receptor antagonist(naloxone hydrochloride).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1547-1553
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• 2011

An effective analytical method of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed for the rapid determination of essential oils in the crude extract of Acorus species (Acorus gramineus, Acorus tatarinowii, and Acorus calamus). Major phenypropanoids (${\beta}$,${\alpha}$-asarone isomers, euasarone, and methyleugenol) and ${\beta}$-caryophyllene in Acorus species were used as marker compounds and determined for the quality control of herbal medicines. To extract marker compounds, various extraction techniques such as solvent immersion, mechanical shaking, and sonication were compared, and the greatest efficiency was observed with sonication extraction using petroleum ether. The dynamic range of the GC/MS method depended on the specific analyte; acceptable quantification was obtained between 10 and 2000 ${\mu}g/mL$ for ${\beta}$-asarone, 10 and 500 ${\mu}g/mL$ for ${\alpha}$-asarone, 10 and 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ for methyleugenol, and between 5 and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ for ${\beta}$-caryophyllene. The method was deemed satisfactory by inter- and intra-day validation and exhibited both high accuracy and precision, with a relative standard deviation < 10%. Overall limits of detection were approximately 0.34-0.83 ${\mu}g/mL$, with a standard deviation (${\sigma}$)-to-calibration slope (s) ratio (${\sigma}$/s) of 3. The limit of quantitation in our experiments was approximately 1.13-3.20 ${\mu}g/mL$ at a ${\sigma}$/s of 10. On the basement of method validation, 20 samples of Acorus species collected from markets in Korea were monitored for the quality control. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed on the analytical data of 20 different Acorus species samples in order to classify samples that were collected from different regions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.119-127
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• 2013

Objectives : ${\beta}$-Asarone (BAS) is an active ingredient in Acori Rhizoma. This study investigated anti-neuroinflammatory and memory ameliorating effects of BAS in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : BAS was administered orally at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-ㅍ), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, was measured in hippocampus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 4 h after the LPS injection. An ameliorating effect of 30 mg/kg BAS on learning and memory impairment in the LPS-treated mice was verified using the Morris water maze test. Results : BAS significantly attenuated up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 mRNA in hippocampus tissue of the LPS-treated mice. In acquisition training test, BAS improved learning performance of the LPS-treated mice with a significant decrease of escape latency to the platform. In memory retention test, BAS also ameliorated memory impairment of the LPS-treated mice with a significant increase of swimming time in zones neighboring to the platform, number of target heading, and memory score. Conclusion : The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus by BAS could be one of the mechanisms for BAS-mediated ameliorating effect on learning and memory impairment in LPS-treated mice.