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Reclaimed water provides a reliable and economical alternative source of irrigation water for landscape use but may have elevated levels of salts that are detrimental to sensitive landscape plants. Landscape professionals must use salt-tolerant plants in regions where reclaimed water is used. Ornamental grasses are commonly used as landscape plants in the Intermountain West of the United States due to low maintenance input, drought tolerance, and unique texture. Six ornamental grass species, including Acorus gramineus (Japanese rush), Andropogon ternarius (silver bluestem), Calamagrostis ×acutiflora (feather reed grass), Carex morrowii (Japanese sedge), Festuca glauca (blue fescue), and Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed), were evaluated for salinity tolerance. Plants were irrigated every 4 days with a fertilizer solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m–1 (control) or with a saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m–1 (EC 5) or 10.0 dS·m–1 (EC 10). At 47 days, most species in EC 5 exhibited good visual quality with averaged visual scores greater than 4.6 (0 = dead, 5 = excellent). In EC 10, most A. gramineus plants died, but C. ×acutiflora, F. glauca, and S. heterolepis had no foliar salt damage. At 95 days, C. ×acutiflora, F. glauca, and S. heterolepis in EC 5 had good visual quality with averaged visual scores greater than 4.5. Acorus gramineus, A. ternarius, and C. morrowii showed foliar salt damage with averaged visual scores of 2.7, 3.2, and 3.4, respectively. In EC 10, A. gramineus died, and other grass species exhibited moderate to severe foliar salt damage, except C. ×acutiflora, which retained good visual quality. Plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, shoot dry weight, and/or gas exchange parameters also decreased depending on plant species, salinity level, and the duration of exposure to salinity stress. In conclusion, A. gramineus was the most salt-sensitive species, whereas C. ×acutiflora was the most salt-tolerant species. Festuca glauca and S. heterolepis were more tolerant to salinity than A. ternarius and C. morrowii. Calamagrostis ×acutiflora, F. glauca, and S. heterolepis appear to be more suitable for landscapes in which reclaimed water is used for irrigation. Plant responses to saline water irrigation in this research could also be applied to landscapes in salt-prone areas and coastal regions with saltwater intrusion into aquifers and landscapes affected by maritime salt spray.

In this study, we investigated the quality characteristics of medicinal vinegar prepared from the roots of Acorus gramineus. We used barley alcohol beverage along with both Rhizopus oryzae 82-7 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae YM33 and vinegar culture with Acetobacter pasteurianus A11-2 under the optimal conditions for acetic acid fermentation. We manufactured the barley alcohol beverage with 11% alcohol content for fermentation with ‘Nuruk’ and Saccharomyces cerevisiae YM33 at 25°C. When fermented vinegar from Acorus gramineus roots for 10 days at 30°C with a starter, the pH and total acidity were 3.48 and 4.44%, respectively, and the alcohol in vinegar was totally consumed. Besides, the vinegar showed total polyphenol content of 870.13 mg TAE/mL at the 15th day, along with significant antioxidant activity. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major volatiles in vinegar were methyl salicylate and 2-ethylhexanol, which have odors like those of mint and rose, respectively. In contrast, the ethanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methyl-1-propanol contents, which were high in the barley alcohol beverage, decreased in the vinegar that was fermented by Acorus gramineus. Consequently, the vinegar fermented by Acorus gramineus showed unique aromas and high antioxidant activity.

In this study, a strain of Trichosporon was isolated from white pseudomembranes and ulcers formed on mucous membranes of pigeon bursas and was identified through gene sequencing. Bacteriostatic actions of Acorus gramineus, Sophora flavescens, Polygonum hydropiper, and Chinese herbal mixture on this species were explored in vitro, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of herbal medicines against Trichosporon was determined through microdilution method. Therapeutic effects of herbal medicines on chickens infected by Trichosporon were studied, whose results showed that minimum inhibitory concentration of A. gramineus was 32 μg/μL, that of S. flavescens was 2 μg/μL, that of P. hydropiper was 120 μg/μL, and that of Chinese herbal mixture was 36 μg/μL. Antibacterial effects of S. flavescens were the best. In accordance with animal experiments, therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicines on infected chickens were better than those of fluconazole. The mortality rate of the Chinese herbal medicine treatment group was 33.33%, that of the fluconazole treatment group was 46.67%, and that of the Chinese medicine protection group was 23.33%. The longer the time of Chinese medicine treatments was, the better the treatment effects would be. Glutamic oxaloacetylase values of the serum and liver in the Chinese herbal medicine treatment group were both significantly lower than those of the nontreatment group. From the results, it can be seen that A. gramineus, S. flavescens, P. hydropiper, and Chinese herbal mixture have certain inhibitory effects on Trichosporon spp. Chinese herbal medicine protections in advance could reduce Trichosporon infections.

Panax quinquefolius (PQ) and Acorus gramineus (AG) are drug target pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which are used to treat age-related diseases. In the present study, we simultaneously determined the contents of four main bioactive ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rd, and Re) in rat plasma using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Plasma specimens were purified by using the solid-phase extraction procedure, and separation was performed on Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and negative electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. The established UPLC-MS/MS method showed good linear correlation (r ≥ 0.9978), stability (−11.93 to 12.11%), precision (RSD 1, 1.6 ng/mL for Rb2, 1.2 ng/mL for Rd, and 2.5 ng/mL for Re. This validated method was successfully employed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the four ginsenosides in rat plasma after oral administration of PQ-AG and PQ extracts. The results revealed the pharmacokinetic profiles of PQ-AG drug pair and clarified that AG played a critical role in stimulating the absorption of active ginsenosides in PQ. Collectively, our findings provided valid and reliable evidence for the rational use of PQ-AG in clinical practice.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) (also called white mold), resulting in stem rot and death of many common herbaceous ornamental plant species. Resistant plants would be useful to manage SSR; however, the host range of S. sclerotiorum is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine how the ornamental graminoids Pennisetum glaucum, Setaria italica, Juncus inflexus, Carex flagellifera, Isolepis cernua, and Acorus gramineus respond to inoculation with S. sclerotiorum. Plants were inoculated in the field and in controlled environments at 13, 16, 19, or 22°C with or without wounding, and evaluated for SSR. Inoculated detached leaves were stained to examine infection and oxalate oxidase production. A. gramineus developed SSR in field and controlled environments. Sclerotinia stem rot was not observed on P. glaucum in field environments. The disease developed on P. glaucum and S. italica in controlled environments, and severity increased with decreasing temperature and wounding. J. inflexus, C. flagellifera, and I. cernua developed no or minor symptoms of SSR in field and controlled environments. Mycelia penetrated A. gramineus leaves 24 h after inoculation (HAI) and P. glaucum at 48 HAI, but did not penetrate J. inflexus at 24, 48, or 96 HAI. Oxalate oxidase was not detected in inoculated leaves of these ornamental graminoids. The results illuminate S. sclerotiorum’s interactions with monocots and broaden the understanding of SSR resistance in ornamental grasses.

The dry rhizome of Acorus gramineus Solander, known as Acori Graminei Rhizoma, is used to treat dementia, stroke, eczema, and indigestion in traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Korean medicine, and traditional Japanese Kampo medicine. Previous studies have reported that Acori Graminei Rhizoma extract ameliorated cognitive impairment in Aβ1-42 injected mice. However, the effect of Acori Graminei Rhizoma on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) has not been elucidated. Thus, we evaluated the water extract of Acori Graminei Rhizoma (WAG) in CIA mice models. Male DBA/1 mice were separated into five groups (NOR; n=10, CON; n=10, CIA + methotrexate (MTX); n=10, CIA + 100 mg/kg WAG; n=10, CIA + 500 mg/kg WAG; n=10). CIA was induced by injecting the mice with bovine type II collagen, after which the mice were treated with WAG and/or MTX. Hematological parameters and liver and kidney serum toxicity markers were analyzed. Further, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α, and type II collagen IgG were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment with 500 mg/kg WAG decreased serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and collagen IgG in a CIA model. Moreover, WAG treatment decreased CIA-induced swelling of mouse hind legs, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the synovial membrane, and blood neutrophil levels. WAG administration did not influence hematological parameters or kidneys and liver toxicity markers. WAG may be used to treat arthritis by reducing the inflammation indicators. However, further experiments are required to determine how WAG affects inflammation mechanisms in vitro and in vivo.

A metabolomics approach was used to explore the effects of Panax quinquefolius (PQ) and Acorus gramineus (AG) on learning and memory in rats with diabetic-induced cognitive impairment. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups, namely, the normal group, model group, and PQ-AG group (PQ-AG group, 1.80 g/kg/d). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected via cisterna magna puncture, and the Morris water maze method was used to evaluate learning and memory in rats after 11 weeks of PQ-AG treatment. Metabolic profiling of CSF samples was performed by using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Compared with the normal group, the escape latency of the Morris water maze was significantly prolonged in model group rats after 12 weeks (p < 0.01). Compared with the model group, however, the escape latency was significantly shortened in PQ-AG group rats (p < 0.05). In multivariate statistical analysis, we identified 33 potential biomarkers, and six biomarkers were altered by PQ-AG. These biomarkers were involved in the metabolism of pyrimidine; nicotinate, and nicotinamide; glycine, serine, and threonine; and ascorbate and aldarate. Taken collectively, our results indicate that PQ-AG can attenuate diabetic-induced cognitive impairment by affecting a variety of metabolic pathways. Our results provide an experimental basis for studying the mechanism of action of PQ-AG.

Vegetated agricultural drainage ditches (VDs) are a relatively new best management practice for pesticide and nutrient mitigation that is receiving increasing global interest. However, VDs are seldom used during winter due to considerable deterioration of pollutants reduction efficiencies driven by low-temperature effects. Limited knowledge on the internal loading of nutrient in VDs due to vegetation decomposition calls for further evaluation. Here, we assessed plants growth characteristics and nutrient dynamics in a field-scale VD receiving nutrient-rich sewage and planted with the overwintering plants: Acorus gramineus, Myriophyllum aquaticum and Iris sibirica. Water purification performance showed average TN, NH4-N, NO3-N, TP and PO4-P reduction efficiencies of 44, 46, 43, 52 and 46%, respectively, over the winter period. Maximum reduction rates of TN and TP were 5.31 and 0.34 g(-2) d(-1), respectively. Of the total nutrient removal by plants of 5.37 x 103 kg N y(-1) and 0.65 x 10(3) kg P y(-1) from the VD system, A. gramineus contributed 65.7% and 72.1%, respectively. Nonetheless, substantial amounts of N and P retained within the aboveground biomass were released into the water column as ditch plant shoots decayed to deteriorate the water quality. All three species, A. gramineus, M. aquaticum and I. sibirica demonstrated considerable nutrient accumulation during winter and facilitated nutrient retention in the VD system. Consequently, they can be considered effective overwintering species of choice in VDs for purifying nutrient-rich water and potentially appropriate for vulgarizing elsewhere, particularly throughout the winter season. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Extracts or active components from Acorus gramineus Aiton (EAAGA) have been clinically used for cognition impairment more than hundreds of years and are still used in modern times in China and elsewhere worldwide. Previous studies reported that EAAGA improves cognition impairment in animal models. Here, we conducted a preclinical systematic review to assess the current evidence of EAAGA for cognition impairment. We searched 7 databases up until June 2019. Methodological quality for each included studies was accessed according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. The primary outcome measures were neurobehavioral function scores evaluated by the Morris water maze test, electrical Y-maze test, step-down test, radial eight-arm maze test, and step-through test. The secondary outcome measures were mechanisms of EAAGA for cognition function. Finally, 34 studies involving 1431 animals were identified. The quality score of studies range from 1 to 6, and the median was 3.32. Compared with controls, the results of the meta-analysis indicated EAAGA exerted a significant effect in decreasing the escape latency and error times and in increasing the length of time spent in the platform quadrant and the number of platform crossings representing learning ability and memory function (all P<0.01). The possible mechanisms of EAAGA are largely through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptosis activities, inhibition of neurotoxicity, regulating synaptic plasticity, protecting cerebrovascular, stimulating cholinergic system, and suppressing astrocyte activation. In conclusion, EAAGA exert potential neuroprotective effects in experimental cognition impairment, and EAAGA could be a candidate for cognition impairment treatment and further clinical trials.

The present study focused on genotoxic properties of the carcinogenic phenylpropanoids α-asarone and β-asarone, which are found in several herbs and spices, such as Acorus calamus or Acorus gramineus. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were determined in human liver carinoma HepG2 cells, in hamster lung fibroblast V79 cells and in human cytochrome P450 1A2 and human sulfotransferase 1C2 transfected V79 cells (tV79). The Alamar blue assay was used to measure cytotoxicity of both isomers prior to the identification of DNA damaging properties by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Furthermore, the phosphorylation status of the histone H2AX, as a response of DNA double strand breaks, was investigated in HepG2 cells by Western blot analysis and visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy. After 24 h of incubation a significant reduction of cell viability was found. Moreover, both asarone isomers induced DNA strand breaks in V79 cells after 1 h of incubation. In tV79 cells even more pronounced DNA damaging properties were exhibited, whereas in HepG2 cells the compounds were found to be less effective. Furthermore, in tV79 cells a significant increase of formamidopyrimidine-DNA-glycosylase-sensitive sites was observed. DNA strand breaks, induced by aA, were to some extent characterized as DNA double strand breaks. In summary, asarone-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity is strongly influenced by the cellular metabolic enzyme status and therefore, a contribution of their respective metabolites to in vitro toxicity can be suggested.

A unified synthetic strategy based on [4 + 2] cycloaddition of readily accessible coupling fragments was conceptualized for the racemic total synthesis of recently isolated bioactive merrilliaquinone and other closely related quinones such as gramineusquinone B as well as neolignan, magnoshinin. The present article discloses our efforts in this direction which culminated in the total syntheses of gramineusquinone B, iso-merrilliaquinone, iso-magnoshinin and 2-epi-3,4-dihydro magnoshinin.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Acorus gramineus was assembled and characterized as a resource for future genetic studies. With a total length of 152,887 bp, the chloroplast genome comprised of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,005 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,230 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,826 bp. The overall GC contents of the chloroplast genome were 38.7%. A total of 115 genes were predicted, consisting of 80 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. In these genes, nine genes contained one intron and two genes contained two introns. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the position of A. gramineus within the monocots.

The principal insecticidal compounds from the herbal medicines Saishin, the root of Asarum sieboldii Miquel, and Sekishōkon, the rhizome of Acorus gramineus Soland, were isolated by successive silica gel column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The active components, which work against larvae of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), were identified as methyleugenol (4-allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene) and β-asarone {1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-[(Z)-prop-1-enyl]benzene} by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses. These two compounds share some structural features, such as a benzene ring with o-dimethoxy groups and a propenyl group in the opposite position. Consequently, the insecticidal activities of 20 structurally related compounds were tested to evaluate their structure–activity relationship. We found myristicin (5-allyl-1-methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxybenzene) exhibited comparable insecticidal activity to methyleugenol and β-asarone, but the other tested compounds were less active. The lack of insecticidal activity of compounds with a hydrogen, hydroxy, or acetoxy substituent in place of one methoxy group indicates that o-dimethoxy groups are essential for insecticidal activity. The position and configuration of a double bond in the propenyl side chain affected the toxicity, but there was a lack of consistency in the structure–activity relationship for this.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, still lacks effective treatment at present. Alpha-asarone (ASA) is the major compound isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Acorus gramineus. It has been reported to enhance cognitive function in rodent models, yet its mechanism was not fully understood. In this work, we demonstrated that ASA improved the spatial memory, reduced the neuronal injury, and decreased the level of Aβ1-42 in the hippocampus of aged rats. The results also showed that ASA had the neuroprotective effects against glutamate toxicity and decreased cytoplasmic calcium level in primary hippocampal neurons. By comparing the multiple properties of ASA and propofol (PPF) via computer modelling, we speculated that ASA may bind to the PPF binding site of type A gamma (γ)-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAARs). This was further supported by the whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Our results suggested that ASA, as a GABAAR positive allosteric modulator (PAM), can improve cognitive function of aged rats by alleviating the neuronal overexcitation. Furthermore, the binding mode of ASA on GABAAR may lay a foundation for structure-based drug design in AD therapy.

The pharmaceuticals acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, and carbamazepine, and herbicide atrazine are among the most highly manufactured compounds in the world and are frequently detected in the aquatic environment. Much uncertainty exists regarding the impacts of the pharmaceuticals on non-target aquatic resources, while more is known about atrazine. Reduction of residues of each chemical in surface water will reduce the exposures that organisms experience in the surface water environment, thus reducing unknown risks. This project evaluated the potential use of two aquatic plant species (Acorus gramineus and Canna hybrida ‘Orange Punch’) for reducing concentrations of the chemicals in water. Concentrations of each contaminant in solution were reduced in the presence of the plants after 14 days of exposure, in (acetaminophen 64–100%, atrazine 32–51%, carbamazepine 26–49%, sulfamethoxazole 41–60%). Results indicate that these plants have potential for reducing concentrations of these chemicals in surface water, but that plant- and chemical-specific properties prevent making generalizations regarding the extent and pathways for dissipation.

In recent years, the extraction fraction of volatile oil from Acorus gramineus has significant effects on anti-dementia and improving the learning and memory of animals. To date, limited studies have determined whether volatile oil from A. gramineus has the protective effect on neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of volatile oil from A. gramineus on Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, by means of behavior test, immunohistochemistry and western blot methods. In this study, mice were injected with Aβ1-42 in the bilateral hippocampus to establish the AD model. On the seventh day after modeling, the mice with cognitive dysfunction were selected by the novel object recognition task. Subsequently, the volatile oil treatment groups underwent intragastric administration for per 10 g body weight 2.5 or 5 μL volatile oil from A. gramineus for 3 weeks. The control group and the AD group were given the same amount of saline. Our results showed that after treatment of volatile oil from A. gramineus, the number of Doublecortin and Nestin positive cells increased significantly, suggesting that the volatile oil from A. gramineus may induce the regeneration of hippocampal neurons in mice, and promote the growth of hippocampal neurons by upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosine protein kinase B, and neurotrophin-3 expression. These results might provide more experimental evidences for underlying mechanism about the neuroprotective effects of volatile oil from A. gramineus against AD relevant symptoms. Anat Rec, 302:2261-2270, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Previously, a fungus was isolated from a diseased pigeon group clinically suspected of being infected with Candida. The fungus was subsequently identified as Candida glabrata using morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology testing methods. In the present study, to determine the controlling effects of Chinese herbal medicine for C. glabrata, the bacteriostatic effects of the ethanol extracts Acorus gramineus, Sophora flavescens, Polygonum hydropiper, Cassia obtusifolia, Pulsatilla chinensis, Dandelion, and Cortex phellodendri on C. glabrata in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC80) of Cortex phellodendri was 0.25 μg/μL. Meanwhile, that of S. flavescens was 32 μg/μL; C. obtusifolia was 56 μg/μL; A. gramineus and Polygonum hydropiper was 64 μg/μL; and P. chinensis was 112 μg/μL. However, MIC80 for Dandelion was undetectable. In addition, improved drug sensitivity tests revealed that colonies had grown after 24 h in the blank group, as well as the Polygonum hydropiper, P. chinensis, Dandelion, and ethanol groups. The colonies first appeared at the 48-hour point in the other drug-sensitive medium of Chinese herbal medicine. However, no colony growth was found in Cortex phellodendri medium, and the formation of the maximum colony diameter in that group was later than the blank group (e.g., 96 h in the blank group and 120 h in the Chinese herbal medicine group). It was observed that only 17 colony-forming units had grown in 125 μg/μL of the S. flavescens medium, which was significantly different from other groups. Also, the final colony diameter was significantly smaller than that of the other experimental groups. Therefore, it was determined that the A. gramineus, S. flavescens, Polygonum hydropiper, Cassia obtusifolia, P. chinensis, and Cortex phellodendri had certain inhibitory effects on the growth of the C. glabrata. Among those, it was observed that the Cortex phellodendri had the strongest inhibitory effects, followed by the S. flavescens. In the future, these Chinese herbal medicines are expected to be used to treat the fungal infections related to C. glabrata in poultry to improve production performance.

Acorus gramineus is a herb used frequently in oriental medicine. Clinically, the effects of Acorus gramineus are known as awakening of one’s consciousness, removal of sputum, and relief of autism. Experimentally, Acorus gramineus root(AGR)-induced cerebral blood flow increase depending on the concentration causes diverse responses of blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow and possesses strong inhibitory effects of apoptosis in the nervous system. We investigated the effects of AGR water extract on the adipose tissue status. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed high fat diet and a total of 35 mice were divided into 5 groups: normal group, control group, and groups treated with AGR water extract at concentrations of 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg. The mice were treated by oral administration once a day for consecutive 6 weeks, and their weight changes were monitored. As the results, the groups treated with AGR water extract showed weight loss. Also, the weights of liver, epididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat and peri-renal fat were decreased in the groups treated with AGR water extract. In histopathological examination, the sizes of adipose tissues decreased in liver, epididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, and peri-renal fat. These results indicate that AGR water extract have an anti-obesity activity, which could be used as an useful material to decrease body adipose tissues.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of fermented herbal mixtures (FHMs) in HepG2 and PC12 cells. Two different types of fermented herbal mixtures consisted of Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ganoderma lucidum, Acanthopanax senticosus, Schisandra chinensis, Hovenia dulcis thumb, and Lycii fructus. FHM-A and FHM-B were separately fermented with Prunellae Spica, Portulaca oleracea (FHM-A) and Acorus gramineus, Pycnostelma paniculatum (FHM-B). Total phenolic content of FHM-B was higher than that of FHM-A. ORAC values in both FHM-A and FHM-B increased in a dose-dependent manner, and antioxidant activities against peroxyl radicals were higher in FHM-A than FHM-B. Both FHM-A and FHM-B effectively ameliorated AAPH- and ethanol-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. They also suppressed lipid formation induced by ethanol treatment. In addition, FHM-A and FHM-B prevented H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell death. FHM-B showed a relatively stronger protective effect than that of FMB-A. Taken together, these findings show that a fermented herbal mixture could be used in healthy and functional food design for oxidative stress-related diseases.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Acorus gramineus rhizoma ( AGR) is the dry rhizome of Acorus gramineus Solander from the family Araceae that has been used as sedative, analgesic, diuretic, digestive and antifungal agent. Aim of the study To evaluate the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and the toxicity of AGR, following repeated oral administration to rats for 13 weeks. Materials and methods AGR was administered by oral gavage to groups of rats (10 per group, each sex) at doses of 0 (control), 25, 74, 222, 667, or 2,000 mg/kg/day, 5 times per week for 13 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, vaginal cytology, sperm motility, sperm morphology, organ weights, gross and histopathological findings were compared between control and AGR groups. Results No mortality or remarkable clinical signs were observed during this 13-week study. No adverse effects on body weight, food consumption, urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, gross lesion, histopathology, vaginal cytology, sperm motility or deformity were observed in any of the male or female rats treated with AGR. Conclusions On the basis of these results, the NOAEL of AGR is determined to be 2,000 mg/kg/day for male and female rats.

The current study was conducted to evaluate beneficial effects of a new formula (CWC-9) using four traditional Oriental medicinal herbs, Cynanchum wilfordii, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus gramineus, on hippocampal cells and memory function. To examine the neuroprotective effects of a new four-herb extract, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were performed in HT22 cells and behavioral tests (Morris water maze and passive avoidance retention), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In HT22 hippocampal cells, pretreatment with CWC-9 resulted in significantly reduced glutamate-induced cell death with suppression of ROS accumulation caused by glutamate. In a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia, we observed significant improvement of spatial and short-term memory function by treatment with CWC-9. Phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in hippocampus of ischemic mice were decreased by treatment with CWC-9, but phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol- 3 kinase (PI3K) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were significantly enhanced. By immunohistochemical analysis, we confirmed higher expression of phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampal neurons of CWC-9 treated mice. These results suggest that new multi-herb formula CWC-9 mainly exerted beneficial effects on cognitive function through regulation of neuroprotective signaling pathways associated with CREB.

The beneficial effects of traditional Korean medicine are recognized during the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, such as, Alzheimer's disease and neurocognitive dysfunction, and recently, hippocampal neurogenesis has been reported to be associated with memory function. In this study, the authors investigated the beneficial effects of polygonum multiflorum Thunberg complex composition-12 (PMC-12), which is a mixture of four medicinal herbs, that is, Polygonum multiflorum, Polygala tenuifolia, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Acorus gramineus, on hippocampal neurogenesis, learning, and memory in mice. PMC-12 was orally administered to male C57BL/6 mice (5 weeks old) at 100 or 500 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks. PMC-12 administration significantly was found to increase the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and the survival of newly-generated cells in the dentate gyrus. In the Morris water maze test, the latency times of PMC-12 treated mice (100 or 500 mg/kg) were shorter than those of vehicle-control mice. In addition, PMC-12 increased the levels of BDNF, p-CREB, and synaptophysin, which are known to be associated with neural plasticity and hippocampal neurogenesis. These findings suggest PMC-12 enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive function and imply that PMC-12 ameliorates memory impairment and cognitive deficits.

A new aliphatic alcohol, (2R,6R)-oct-7-ene-2,6-diol (1), and seven other known compounds (2-8) were isolated from Acorus gramineus rhizomes. The structure of 1 was elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR, HR-MS, and the modified Mosher’s method. Compounds 3-8 displayed consistent antiproliferative activities against the cell lines tested with IC50 values ranging from 7 to 48 μm.