Scientific Rationale for the Use of Single Herb Remedies in Ayurveda
D. Suresh Kumar in Ayurveda in the New Millennium, 2020
Acorus oil was given to adult albino mice one hour prior to the induction of convulsions. It successfully prevented seizures in maximal electroshock seizures test (Khare and Sharma 1982). α-asarone showed a tendency to offer protection against metrazol convulsions and modified electroshocks (Sharma et al. 1961). In a study using electroconvulsions, α-asarone increased the percentage mortality of animals treated with chlorpromazine, but not of those treated with reserpine (Dandiya and Sharma 1962; Dandiya and Menon 1963). The aqueous and alcohol extracts were found to reduce the severity of maximum electric shock-induced seizure in rats. Further, the extracts significantly increased the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure latency (Manis et al. 1991). The essential oil showed a protective effect against electroshock seizures in rats (Madan et al. 1960). Anti-convulsant activity of A. calamus has been reported by Hazra et al. (2007) and Chandrashekar et al. (2013).
Monographs of essential oils that have caused contact allergy / allergic contact dermatitis
Anton C. de Groot in Monographs in Contact Allergy, 2021
The essential oil from the rhizomes may sometimes be found in beer and aromatic cordial and liqueur preparations (3,5) and the rhizomes of the European A. calamus and calamus essential oil are used in the flavoring industry. Because of the toxicity of its ingredient β-asarone, calamus products for human use should contain no or negligible amounts of β-asarone (6). In several countries including the USA, A. calamus and its oil have been prohibited as a food additive, and in the EU it is not used anymore in perfumery. Also, in recent years many herbal shops have stopped recommending or dispensing it (2). It is also considered too toxic for aromatherapy (13). However, calamus products are available for recreational (hallucinogenic) use on the internet and acute intoxications from abuse of such substances, mainly characterized by prolonged vomiting, have been reported and are not rare (10). Several review articles on pharmacological activities, medicinal applications and biological properties have been published (6,7,9,11,12).
Numinous herbs
Vivienne Lo, Michael Stanley-Baker, Dolly Yang in Routledge Handbook of Chinese Medicine, 2022
Praised as a ‘celestial herb’ (lingcao 靈草) in Daoist texts (Bokenkamp 2015), the calamus was believed to increase longevity, improve memory and ‘heal a thousand diseases’. A traditional method of collecting and preparing calamus leaves into pills combines astrological and geomantic principles: The time to pick calamus falls on the 3rd day of the 3rd month, 4th day of the 4th month, 5th day of the 5th month, 6th day of the 6th month, 7th day of the 7th month, 8th day of the 8th month, 9th day of the 9th month or 10th day of the 10th month. You should pick the plants growing in pure water which flows from the south; those [growing in water which flows] from the north are not auspicious.(Shenxian fushi lingcao changpu wanfang zhuan, n.p.)
Taishan Pinus massoniana Pollen Polysaccharides Enhance Immune Responses in Chickens Infected by Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup B
Published in Immunological Investigations, 2018
Shifa Yang, Guiming Li, Zengcheng Zhao, Zhongli Huang, Jian Fu, Minxun Song, Shuqian Lin, Ruiliang Zhu
Various polysaccharides isolated from plants and microorganisms have been used as effective biological response modifiers against cancer, immunodeficiency, and chronic infection (Feng et al., 2015; Ling et al., 2011). Many plant polysaccharides have been extensively investigated because of their potential immunostimulatory activity. For example, analysis of the immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides DOP-1 and DOP-2 isolated from the stem of Dendrobium officinale (DOP) showed that the former could significantly promote splenocyte proliferation and NK cell cytotoxicity, whereas the latter played an important role in macrophage activation (Xia et al., 2012). Water-soluble polysaccharides obtained from Acorus calamus L. have been shown to be able to activate macrophages and stimulate Th1 response (Belska et al., 2010). Our previous studies indicated that natural nontoxic polysaccharides derived from Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide (TPPPS) could enhance the production performance and immunological function in rabbits and chickens (Wei et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2014). Furthermore, TPPPS, when used as immunoadjuvant, could significantly improve the effects of different vaccines against Proteus mirabilis, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and recombinant Bordetella avium ompA (Cui et al., 2013; Wei et al., 2011; Zhao et al., 2013). However, whether TPPPS could attenuate immunosuppression caused by ALV-B in chickens is unknown.
Volatile, non-volatile composition and insecticidal activity of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), and aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2019
Olonisakin Adebisi, Shudh Kirti Dolma, Praveen Kumar Verma, Bikram Singh, S. G. Eswara Reddy
The residual toxicity assay of EO, hexane, and methanol fractions of E. adenophorum against second instar larvae of P. xylostella and adults of A. craccivora in terms of LC50 and LT50 to kill 50% of the test insect relative control values and other statistical parameters generated by linear regression analysis is summarized and presented in Tables 5–7. Results showed that, EO showed more toxicity to larvae of P. xylostella within 24 (LC50 = 3176.54 mg L−1) as compared to hexane and methanol fractions via residual toxicity assay. Our results are in agreement with the findings of others who reported the efficacy of EOs against other lepidopteran larvae. Patchouli oil was found to be the most toxic to larvae of the leaf roller, Choristoneura rosaceana, whereas garlic oil was the most toxic to larvae of Trichoplusia ni followed by patchouli oil and lemongrass oil (Machial et al.2010). In similar study Reddy et al. (2016), reported that the EO of Acorus calamus (LC50 = 0.29 mg L−1) showed more toxic to larvae of P. xylostella and was followed by Cedrus deodara (LC50 = 1.08 mg L−1), and Murraya koenigii (LC50 = 1.93 mg L−1).
Acaricidal activities of essential oils against two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2018
S. G. Eswara Reddy, Shudh Kirti Dolma
Essential oils were also screened for their repellent activity against T. urticae at higher doses and the results were presented in Table 4. At 10,000 mg L−1, among the oils tested; repellent activity of A. calamus, M. piperita and C. flexuosus showed 100% repellent activity (one-way ANOVA; F10,32 = 2.27; p < 0.05) to T. urticae adults and were at par with other oils except C. deodara and A. marmelos (76.67%). At 5000 mg L−1 also, similar trend was observed (one-way ANOVA; F10,32 = 3.21; p < 0.01) (Table 3). EOs of A. calamus, M. piperita and C. flexuous in the present study also showed excellent repellent activity to T. urticae.
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