Overview
- Wang, Z.J. et al. (2014) Front. Pharmacol. 5, 1.
- Lee, B. et al. (2014) Korean J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 18, 191.
Alomone Labs α-Asarone blocks NaV1. 3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes.A. Time course of NaV1.3 current amplitude and inhibition by 100 and 500 µM α-Asarone (#A-260). Currents were elicited by application of a 100 ms voltage step to -10 mV (H.P= -100mV) every 10 seconds. B. Superimposed example traces of current responses before and during perfusion of 100 and 500 µM α-Asarone, as indicated.
α-Asarone is an active component of the Chinese medicinal plant Acorus tatarinouii Schott and exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-coagulant, anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory1,2.
α-Asarone acts as a NaV channel blocker, GABA(A) receptor blocker and TrkB receptor inhibitor and is available in the market in the form of tablets, capsules and injections1.
The neuroprotective actions of α-asarone are exhibited through the blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and by inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in brain tissue. α-Asarone also exhibits anti-oxidative properties, reduces levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the hippocampus against noise-stress and in various seizure models3.
Recent studies have shown that α-asarone has the ability to improve multiple physiological actions, to produce a variety of pharmacological actions in the CNS and modulate immune system functions. The anti-convulsant activity of α-asarone has been reported in several recent studies in epileptic seizure animal models3.
α-Asarone was shown to be effective in attenuating foam cell formation and enhancing cholesterol efflux4. In addition, it protects against angiotensin II-mediated damage of endothelial cells and can be developed for the prevention of injury to cardiovascular tissues2.
α-Asarone may serve as a preventive and regenerative therapeutic agent to promote neurogenesis against age-related neurodegeneration and neurodegenerative disorders5.
