Abstract
The present investigation was aimed at determining the effects of hexane, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of Acorus calamus leaves (ACHE, ACAE, ACME and ACAQE) on cholinergic and histaminic system using isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle and guinea pig ileum. A dose dependent potentiation of Ach response (anticholinesterase like effect) was found with ACAE and ACME at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mg/ml, but at higher dose of ACAE, ACME, ACAQE and ACHE (5, 20 mg/ml) inhibit the Ach response (antinicotinic effect). These results revealed biphasic effect of Acorus calamus leaves extracts on acetylcholine induced contractile response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle preparation (i.e. potentiation effect at lower dose and inhibitory effect at higher dose). Studies on isolated guinea pig ileum demonstrated antihistaminic effect in a dose dependent manner (100-1000 µg/ml) with ACAE, ACME and ACAQE. In addition, the dose dependent inhibition of Ach response (antimuscarinic effect) was observed with ACAE and ACME. In conclusion, Acorus calamus leaves extracts exerts antinicotinic, anticholinesterase like activities in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle and antihistaminic, antimuscarinic effect in guinea pig ileum. It has been suggested that these observed activities can be further studied for therapeutic potential of Acorus calamus leaves in the treatment of cognitive disorders and asthma.
Highlights
Acorus calamus Linn. (Family- Araceae) commonly known as “sweet flag” or Waan-Nam, is a well known medicinal plant used in ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years
These results revealed biphasic effects of Acorus calamus leaves extracts on acetylcholine-induced contractile response in isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle
The AchE inhibitory effects of plant extracts indicate their potential in the development of natural therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and related problems (Faiyaz and Urooj, 2010)
Summary
Acorus calamus Linn. (Family- Araceae) commonly known as “sweet flag” or Waan-Nam, is a well known medicinal plant used in ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. The roots and rhizomes of Acorus calamus L have been used in the Indian and Chinese systems of the medicine for hundreds of years for their beneficial role in improving learning performance, and for their anti-aging effect (Bagchi et al, 1991; Zhang et al, 1994). The formulated syrup containing aqueous ethanol extracts of various traditional herbs like Adhatoda vasica, Acorus calamus, Glyzyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Tylophora asthmatica, Piper longum and Solanum xanthocarpum was evaluated for its antihistaminic activity by the inhibition of histamine induced contractions on the guinea pig ileum. Anti-asthmatic activity of an ayurvedic recipe namely madhuyashtyadi syrup in which Acorus calamus as an ingredient, after administration showed a significant relief in bronchospasm without any side effect (ElayaRaja et al, 2009)
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