Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties of Acorus calamus

authored by: Muhammad Qamar, Naveed Ahmad, Tariq Ismail, Tuba Esatbeyoglu, Saeed Akhtar, Muhammad S. Mubarak
Abstract: Acorus calamus, a potent bio-reserve with medicinal value, has been used to treat human diseases since prehistoric times in China and India. It has the potential of assisting and overhauling the healthcare system in the future. Regarding medicinal use, the plant has been used to treat neurological, respiratory, metabolic, hepatic, and nephrotic illnesses. Rhizomes and leaves are believed to possess stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, sedative, aromatic, and other properties and are used to address disorders such as mental illness, diabetes, eczema, convulsions, diarrhoea, abdominal and glandular tumours, hair loss, fevers, epilepsy, neuralgia, dysentery, arthritis, bronchitis, and others. Phytochemical characterization reveals the identification and isolation of approximately 145 constituents (secondary metabolites) including alkaloids, monoterpenes, phenylpropanoids, saponins, sesquiterpenes, and others from leaves and rhizomes. Evidence exists that the bioactivity and pharmacotherapeutics of this plant are mainly accredited to eugenol, asarones (a and Β), and sesquiterpenoids. Its numerous extracts (from different plant parts) exhibit potent pharmacological activities. The most obvious in vivo and in vitro (clinical and pre-clinical) evidence shows that the plant exhibits antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-convulsant activity. Despite these activities, toxicity studies, safety concerns, and quality control are required. It is hoped that this chapter will provide a firm base for further research.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development
External Organisation(s): Bahauddin Zakariya University
Multan Medical and Dental College (MMDC)
University of Jordan
Type: Contribution to book/anthology
Pages: 89-105
No. of pages: 17
Publication date: 15.06.2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Health Professions(all), Medicine(all), Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all), Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003256830-6 (Access: Closed)