Chapter 3 Review Of Literature

3. Review of Literature

3.1 Description of plant (Singh et al., 2011)

Kingdom : Plantae

Subkingdom : Tracheobionta (Vascular plant)

Superdivision : Spermatophyta (Seed plants)

Division : Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)

Class : Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)

Subclass : Arecidae

Family : Acoraceae

Genus : Acorus
A. calamus (www.dreamstime.com)
Species : calamus

Other Names

English Name : The sweet flag

Indian Name : Bach

Sanskrit Name : Vacha

Trade Name : Boch

3.2 Traditional Uses

A. calamus is a member of the Acoraceae and is an eminent plant in Ayurveda. The

Acoraceae family encompasses a single genus-Acorus. Common names of Acorus calamus
include the sweet flag , flag root , Acorus calamus root , sweet calomel and sweat sedge. A.
calamus is used by different cultures in many countries. Its rhizomes has extensive
pharmacological properties and are used comprehensively by the Asian countries including
Chinese, India Ayurveda, American, Thailand and other cultures as a component of
traditional medicines (Pogpaichit et al., 2005). A. calamus Linn. is a most valued herbel

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medicinal plant in India and other Eupropian countries (Mittal et al., 2003). In rural areas of
Southern India, rhizome is used to enhance memory in children and to improve speech
(Meena et al., 2010). A. calamus has numerous traditional, economic and ethanobotanical
application. A. calamus has a rich history in the Chinese and Indian culture and was a part of
many early herbal medicinal preparations (Sharma et al., .2014). According to Singh et al.,
2014 it was categorized by Charaka based on its uses as trptighna (anti-saturative), lekhaniya
(natural fat removing substance from the body), sitaprasamana (relieves cold sensation on the
skin), asthapanopaga (an adjust to decoction eneas), Vayasthamapana (promotes longevity),
Sitaprasamana (relieving cold sesation on the skin) , arsoghna (anti-hemorrhoidal),
Sirovirecana (cleasing nasal therapy) and samjnastha-pana (restores consciousness). For
gastrointestinal disorders like diarrohea , colic pain and in treating diabetes is predominantly
used in American and Indonesia traditional folk (Gilani et al., 2006). In Ayurveda, A.
calamus is described as ‘Lekhana’ (lipid lowering action) mentioned in table 1 (Rajput et al.,
2014).

Table 1. Ayurvedic terms indicating properties of A. calamus

Ayurvedic term Use/properties

Vantikrut Induces vomiting in Vamana therapy (a
therapy where the patient is made to
vomit)
Mangalya Helps to keep health
Vijaya Victory over diseases
Shleshmaghni Pacifies kapha
Smarani Memory promoter
Swaralu Improving speech or voice
Lekhana Lipid lowering
Vednasthapaka Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, arthritis
Anilhara or Vatanasaka Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, pain
reducing
Bhutaharet/Jantuharet Antimicrobial or antihelminthic properties
Rokshoghni Checks or destroys the organisms
Karshini Reduces body weight
Bhodhaneeya Arousing consciousness

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Shakrut vishodhini Removes stool from body

Shulaghni Antispasmodic (relieves abdominal pain)
Vibandhhara or Adhanahara Carminative
Vanhikrut Used as appetizer in dyspepsia
Mathrushodihni Act as a diuretic

3.3 Phytochemicals

The phytochemical investigation of this plant has been ongoing since the year 1957 [73,74].
To date, about 145 compounds were isolated from A. calamus rhizomes and leaves, viz.
phenylpropanoids, sterols, triterpene glycosides, triterpenoid saponins, sesquiterpenoids,
monoterpenes, and alkaloids (Sharma et al., 2020). Attempts has been done to evaluate the
physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies of the rhizome of A. calamus (Rao et
al., 2010). Compounds like cis-isoasarone (b-asarone or safrole) often along with eugenol
( methyl ether 80%), Sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanes, bitter substances (acorone),
tannins, ketones (Shyobunones), mucilage, small starch grains and resins have been easily
found in this plant. Acorus calamus (Sweet flag), and/or its bioactive phytochemical alpha
(α)-and beta (β)-asarone, is a well-known drug in the traditional system of medicine which
possesses anti-tumor and chemo-preventive activities as evident from numerous pre-clinical
studies both in-vitro and in-vivo (Das et al., 2019). Studies found different terpenoid, two
phenylpropanoids and other 15 well known constituents in A. calamus (Doong and Yang,
2010). The two major aromatic elements from the rhizomes of A. calamus are (α)-asarone
(1,2,4-trimethoxy-5 [ (E) –prop-1-enyl] and (β)- asarone (1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-[(z)-prop-1-
enyl] benzene (Bjorustad et al., 2009).Asarylaldehyde from root extracts and asarone from
leaf extract are the aromatic constituent believed to be responsible for the scent of oil
(Venskutonis and Dagilyte, 2003). The rhizomes encompass the volatile aromatic oil with
asarone as a key element , the rhizome additionally comprises flacones, Choline , Zinc,
ethanol, methanol,eugenol,camphor etc (Chauha, 1999). The major phytochemicals present in
A. calamus mentioned in figure 1.

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Fig.1 Structure of major phytochemicals

3.4 Pharmacology

A. calamus is widely known for its pharmaceutical and medicinal values. This medicinal
plant is extremely an important source for essential oil which is formed to be having
insecticidal and medicinal properties (Singh and Singh, 1991). A.calamus has a great
medicinal value against numerous illness. A.calamus has important herbal value and can act
as a rejuvenator of the brain and nervous system. Rhizome extracts are used in the therapy of
several conditions including mental oilment ,epilepsy , dysentery, chronic diarrhoea ,
abdominal tumours, fever, kidney and liver, troubles, rheumatism (Sharma et al., 2004).
A.calamus matured leaves has several therapeutic values, including antifungal activity ,
insecticidal and antibacterial property. Oils from the rhizome of A. calamus have several
industrial application , including important use in pharmaceutical industries (Duz et al.,
2008). Mitogenic activity from the lectins of rhizomes of A. calamus is useful (Baias et al.,
2005). After the oralingestion of β-asarone it was found that the presence of cognition in rats
and its potency was comparable to the potency of donepezil hydrochloride. Donepezil
hydrochloride is related along with a decline in hippocampal apoptosis levels (Geng et al.,
2010; Zhou et al., 2016). A.calamus can be used as a good immunomodulatory agent in
inflammatory skin diseases (Kim et al., 2009). The essential oil obtained from this species
was found to be very effective against some pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi (shows

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strong antifungal activity) and towards the gram-negative as well as gram-positive bacteria in
vitro (Mittal et al., 2003). Various studies reported that A. calamus is used in the treatment of
fever, cough, bronchitis, depression, inflammation, tumours, skin diseases, haemorrhoids,
general disability, numbness and as an antidotes for a number of poisoning (Nadkarni, 1998;
Vaidyaratnam, 1994).

3.4.1 Antidiabetic Effect

The antidiabetic effect of A. calamus ethyl acetate fraction was evaluated in streptozotocin
(STZ)-induced and diabetic (db/db) mice. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels, plasma
insulin, “and related gene expression were evaluated. The fraction (100 mg/kg, intragastric
(i.g.)) indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels. For in vitro, at the
concentration of 12.5 µg/mL, a significant increment in GLP-1 levels was found in the
insulin-secreting L-cell culture medium (Liu et al., 2015). A. calamus extract has the potential
to be used in the treatment of diabetes (Wu et al., 2009). Ethanol extract of A. calamus has
been reported to enhance differentiation in adipocytes which is very useful in the treatment of
type 2 diabetes. However, β-asarone from essential oil of A. calamus has shown inhibitory
effect on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. It has been suggested that β-asarone might have
suppressed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (Lee et al., 2011).

3.4.2 Anti-Obesity Effect

The β-asarone compound isolated from the rhizome was investigated against high-fat diet
(HFD)-induced obesity in animals. β-Asarone-treated adipose rats showed weight loss, but
also inhibited metabolic transformations, as well as glucose intolerance, elevated cholesterol,
and adipokine variance (Thakare and Surana, 2016). The in vitro investigation on the A.
calamus aqueous extract showed lipid-lowering activity through inhibition of the pancreatic
lipase percentage (28.73%) (Sharma et al., 2020).

3.4.3 Anti-inflammatory activity

Acorus calamus is a traditional remedy for the inflammation problems but their biological
function in the human skin cells not well characterized. Acorus calamus has been found to
inhibit the expression of polyI: C-induced IL-6 and IL-8 which indicates their inhibitory
effect on the expression of the cytokines which were likely to be in association with the
suppression of NF-κB activation and phosphorylation of IRF3 that shows the Acorus calamus

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L. may be used as a promising immunomodulatory agent in the inflammatory skin diseases

(Mohammed and Hameed, 2018).

3.4.4 Anticancer Potential

The anticancer activity of A. calamus rhizomes was examined by preparing the

hydroalcoholic extract from the rhizomes of A. calamus and testing against cancer cells
which was found to be active against prostate cancer cell line (Gaidhani et al., 2009). The
anti mutagenic properties of A. calamus in methanolic extract has been proved. The extracts
exhibited the inhibition of His+ revertants from 18.51% to 82.66% against direct acting
mutagen methyl methanesulphate and sodium azide (NaN3)induced mutagenicity in
Salmonella tester strains (Mennet-vo Eiff and Meier, 1995). Some immunosuppressive and
antiproliferative properties were also examinned by ethanolic extract of A. calamus. The
extract of A. calamus has also proved to cause inhibition of multiplying of cancerous cell
lines and inhibit mitogen – induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMC5)
and the generation of IL-12 and TNF – α. Different extract of A. calamus up to 550µg/ml was
observed in the enhancement of phagocytic activity of neutrophils (Vellayutham and Patil,
2015). The extract of A.calamus has very potent adaptogenic drug activity. Monopterpene,
flavonoid, sesquiterpene, quinone, and phenyl propanoid are the key bioactive components
present in A. calamus (Patri and Mitra, 1981) . A.calamus shows different pharmacological
properties involving antibacterial, insecticidal and anti-ulcerative (Pandit et al., 2011). The
growth of J774 cancer cell line and β-cell lymphoma has been inhibited by lectins
extracted from A.calamus (Baias et al., 2005). Experimental evaluation of acute and chronic
toxicity of A. calamus preparation intentially to be used as anti-tumour agent was found safe
without any toxic effects on rats and mice (Lopatin et al., 2019). Study has been demonstrates
the antiproliferation and immunosuppressive potential of ethenolic extract of A.calamus
rhizome in vitro (Mehrotra et al., 2003). A. calamus decreased cell viability in malignant cells
in a concentration dependent manner (Antomy et al., 2017). The IC 50 values of methanolic
extracts in MDA- MB- 4355 and Hep 3B cell lines is 13.71+ _6.66 µg/ml and 32.74 +_
4.55µg/ml respectively to reduce the viability of cells. Experimental model of A. calamus
(Nataru et al., 2014). Epieudesmin and galgravin from methanolic extracts of A. calamus
leaves have been identified as anticancer agents. Epieudesmin have antineoplastic activity
against the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line and several human cancer cell lines
(BXPC-3, MCF-7, SF268, NCI-H460, KM20L2, and DU-145). Galgravin prevented neuronal
death and stimulating neurite growth. Studies have also suggested that the anticancer activity

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of calamus oil may be attributed to β-asarone (Palani et al., 2010). Table 2 and Table 3
represented pharmaceutical products of A. calamus available in the market and different
pharmacological activities respectively.

Table 2. Pharmaceutical products of A. calamus available in the market (Sharma et al.,

2020)

Medicine/Formulations Indication/Use Manufactures

Pilochek tablets Hemorrhoids Dabur India Limited
Brahm Rasayan Nervine tonic
Mahasudarsan Churna Malaria
Janma Ghunti Honey Babies growth, Diarrhea
Brahmi Pearls capsules Brain Nourisher Kerala ayurveda
Histantin tablets Anti-allergic
Santhwanam oil Antioxidant
Calamus root tincture Stimulates the digestive Florida Herbal Pharmacy
system
Vacha capsules Food supplements DR Wakde’s Natural
Health Care, London
Anxocare Anxiety Himalaya Herbal
Erina-EP Ectoparasires Healthcare
Vacha powder Brain tonic, improves Bixa Botanical
digestion
Fat Go Controls high cholesterol Jolly Healthcare
level
Norbeepee tablet Hypertension AVN Formulations
Nilsin capsules Sinusitis and allergic Phytomarketin
rhinitis
Hinguvachaadi Gulika Anorexia, indigestion, Nagarajuna Pvt. Ltd.
appetite loss
Deonac oil Pain reliving oil Doux Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
Alert capsules Immunomodulator, anxiety Vasu Healthcare
Smrutihills capsules Stress, anxiety, Ayush Arogyam
adaptogenic

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Vedic Slim Anti-obesity Vedic Bio-Labs Pvt. Ltd.

Table 3. Different pharmacological activities of A. calamus

Activity Parts of Extract/ Animal Results Reference

Plant Compound Model s
Antidiabetic Rhizome Methanol STZ-induced Reduced (Prisilla et
effects s Lipid profile al., 2012)
and blood
glucose,
while
increase
levels of
plasma
insulin
Cardioprotecti Whole Crude, n-hexane, DOX- Reduced the (Kumar
ve effects plant ethyl acetate induced serum and
myocardial enzyme Hiremath,
toxicity levels and 2016)
protected the
myocardium
from the
toxic effect
of DOX
Rhizome Guinea pig Decresed the (Shah and
s tracheal force and rate Gilan,
segments of 2010)
contractions
at higher
concentration
s
Anti-obesity Rhizome Ethanol and HFD-induced Decreased (D’Souza
effects aqueous the levels of et al.,
serum

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cholesterol 2007)
and
triglycerides,
increased
lipoprotein
fraction
Methanol Triton-X- anti- (Kumar et
100-induced hyperlipidem al., 2016)
hyperlipidem ic effect
ic
Antidepressant Roots Aqueous, Hydro TST and FST Decreased [Shashikal
effects alcoholic test corticosteroid a et al.,
levels 2015; De
and Singh,
2013]
Neuroprotectiv Leaves Methanol and Apomorphin Reversed (Vengades
e effects acetone e-induced stereotypy h et al.,
stereotypy induced by 2009)
and apomorphine
haloperidol- and
induced significantly
catalepsy potentiated
catalepsy
induced by
haloperidol
Rhizome Ethanol Spontaneous epressive (Hazra
electrical response by and Guha,
activity and altering 2003)
monoamine electrical
levels of the activity,
brain including
changing
brain

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monoamine
levels

The root (rhizome) is use to make medicines

www.exportersindia.com/product-detail/acorus-calamus-roots-5276097

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