β-Asarone (Synonyms: cis-Asarone)

β-Asarone is a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott rhizomes, has significant pharmacological effects on the central nervous system (CNS) [1-3]. β-Asarone could pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) [4]. β-asarone inhibits MAO-A (IC50 = 142 ± 18 µM), and MAO-B (IC50 = 362 ± 43 µM).

β-Asarone (30 µg/mL) potentiates the nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neuronal differentiation through the phosphorylation of CREB by the activation of protein kinase-A pathway in PC12 cells [6]. β-Asarone had neuroprotective activity in LPS activated BV-2 microglia cells and depression [2,7-8].

β-Asarone (20 and 30 mg/kg/d) improved the neurological outcome after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in terms of neurobehavioral function in rats [9]. β-Asarone improves cognitive function by suppressing neuronal apoptosis in the beta-amyloid hippocampus injection rats. [10].

References:
[1]. Cho J, Kim YH, Kong JY, Yang CH, Park CG. Protection of cultured rat cortical neurons from excitotoxicity by asarone, a major essential oil component in the rhizomes of Acorus gramineus. Life Sciences. 2002 Jun 21;71(5):591-9.
[2]. Chen YZ, Wang QW, Liang Y, Fang YQ. Protective effects of beta-asarone on cultured rat cortical neurons damage induced by glutamate. Zhong yao cai= Zhongyaocai= Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials. 2007 Apr 1;30(4):436-9.
[3]. Fang YQ, Fang RM, Fang GL, Jiang Y, Fu SY. Effects of beta-asarone on expression of c-fos in kindling epilepsy rat brain. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi= Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi= China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2008 Mar 1;33(5):534-6.
[4]. Fang YQ, Wei G. To analyze if the Rhizoma Acori Tatarimowii naph-tha can go through the BBB or not with GC-MS. Zhong Yao Xin Yao Yu: Ling Chuang Yao Li. 2002;3:181-2.
[5]. Tao G, Irie Y, Li DJ, Keung WM. Eugenol and its structural analogs inhibit monoamine oxidase A and exhibit antidepressant-like activity. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry. 2005 Aug 1;13(15):4777-88.
[6]. Lam KY, Chen J, Lam CT, Wu Q, Yao P, Dong TT, Lin H, Tsim KW. Asarone from Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma potentiates the nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation in cultured PC12 cells: a signaling mediated by protein kinase A. PLoS One. 2016 Sep 29;11(9):e0163337.
[7]. Li C, Xing G, Dong M, Zhou L, Li J, Wang G, Zou D, Wang R, Liu J, Niu Y. Beta-asarone protection against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via JNK signaling and modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2010 Jun 10;635(1-3):96-102.
[8].Lim HW, Kumar H, Kim BW, More SV, Kim IW, Park JI, Park SY, Kim SK, Choi DK. β-Asarone (cis-2, 4, 5-trimethoxy-1-allyl phenyl), attenuates pro-inflammatory mediators by inhibiting NF-κB signaling and the JNK pathway in LPS activated BV-2 microglia cells. Food and chemical toxicology. 2014 Oct 1;72:265-72.
[9]. Yang YX, Chen YT, Zhou XJ, Hong CL, Li CY, Guo JY. Beta-asarone, a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, attenuates focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013 Dec;13:1-6.
[10]. Geng Y, Li C, Liu J, Xing G, Zhou L, Dong M, Li X, Niu Y. Beta-asarone improves cognitive function by suppressing neuronal apoptosis in the beta-amyloid hippocampus injection rats. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2010 May 1;33(5):836-43.