Akarkarabh- An Important Medicinal herb

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Anacyclus pyrethrum (Linn) De Candolle, commonly
referred to as ‘Akarkara’ is widely recognized as tonic
and rejuvenator. Though the herb does not nd mention
in the material medica of Bhavaprakash (Bhavaprakash
Nighantu), it nds uses in Ayurveda and the other
traditional Indian medicinal systems. Anacyclus
pyrethrum is not involved with Pyrethrum insecticides,
as those are made from the plant Tanacetum
cinerariifolium; the similarity of the two is in name
only.
Scientic name: Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.)
Family: Asteraceae
Synonyms
Sanskrit : Akallaka
Assamese :
Bengali : Akarakara
English : Pellitory
Gujrati : Akkalkaro, Akkalgaro
Hindi : Akalkara
Kannada : Akkallakara, Akallakara, Akalakarabha,
Akkallaka Hommugulu
Kashmiri : --
Malayalam : Akikaruka, Akravu
Marathi : Akkalakara, Akkalakada
Oriya : Akarakara
Punjabi : Akarakarabh, Akarakara
Tamil : Akkaraka, Akkarakaram
Telugu : Akkalakarra
Urdu : Aqaraqarha
General information
Anacyclus pyrethrum is a perennial herb much like
chamomile in habitat and appearance. It is found in
the Himalayas, in North India. It is in a different family
from the plants known as pellitory-of-the-wall and
spreading pellitory. It is listed under IUCN Red List
vulnerable species
Pharmacognostical Description
Macroscopic: Roots tough, cylindrical, 7-15 cm in
length, tapering slightly at both ends, with a few hairy
rootlets and occasionally topped by bristly remains of
leaves, external surface rough, brown, shriveled, bark
up to 3 mm thick, not easily separable, odor, slightly
aromatic, taste, characteristically astringent and
pungent, on chewing gives tingling sensation to tongue
and lips and causes excessive ow of saliva.
Microscopic: Root - Mature root shows cork
consisting of tabular cells, many of which developed
as sclerenchyma; a few innercork cells contain rosette
crystals of calcium oxalate; secondary cortex consisting
of isodiametric or tangentially, elongated, thin-walled,
parenchymatous cells; a few sclerenchymatous cells
also found scattered in secondary cortex; secondary
phloem consisting of usual elements, cambium 2-5
layered, secondary xylem very wide consisting of xylem
vessels, tracheids and xylem parenchyma; vessels
pitted, more or less in groups distributed throughout
xylem, more and wider vessels found towards peripery,
xylem bres thick-walled, 1.37-28.8 µ in width, 53.2 -
231 µ in length having narrow lumen, medullary rays
numerous, running straight, bi to tri and multiseriate,
uniseriate rays very rare, starting from primary xylem
and reaching upto secondary cortex; ray cells thick-
walled, radially elongated, inulin present in cells of
secondary cortex, secondary phloem and medullary
rays; oleo-resinous schizogenousglands found scattered
in secondary cortex, secondary phloem and medullary
rays; calcium oxalate crystals in rosette form present in
Aakarkarabh - An Important Medicinal Herb
Dr. Ruchi Srivastava, Dr. G.P. Kimothi
DRDC Healthcare, Dabur India Limited
Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) - Plant and Roots

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secondary cortex, secondary phloem, secondary xylem
and medullary ray cells. Powder - Ash coloured; shows
vessels having scalariform thickening, rosette crystals
of calcium oxalate and fragments of sclerenchyma;
also gives positive tests for inulin.
Identity, Purity And Strength (API)
Foreign matter: Not more than 2 percent,
Total Ash: Not more than 10 percent,
Acid-insoluble ash: Not more than 2 percent,
Alcohol-soluble
extractive: Not less than 8 percent,
Water-soluble
extractive: Not More than 22 percent,
Constituents
Volatile oil and Alkaloid (Pyrethrin).
Therapeutic actions
Vatahara, Pittahara, Kaphahara, áukrala, V¡jikara,
Svedakara, Dipana, Buddhivardhaka, Balakaraka.
Therapeutic Uses
Pratisyhaya, Sotha, Ajirna, Kasa, Svasa, Grdhrasi,
Pakshagh¡aa, Udararoga, Nastartava, Dantashula
Important Formulations
Kumaryasava, Kasturyadi (Vayu) Gutika,
Nagavallabha,
Dose - 0.5 -1 g. of the drug in powder form.
Anacyclus pyrethrum is a pro-fertility and virility
enhancing herb that is currently in preliminary testing
in rodents. The main bioactives in this plant are the
alkylamides (similar to Spilanthes acmella) and
preliminary evidence seems to conrm its traditional
claims of fertility and libido enhancement as well as
its role as a ‘brain tonic’ (since it appears to have anti-
amnesiac and anti-convulsive effects)
As per the API, akarkara possesses Katu Rasa, Ruksha
& Teekshna Guna, Has Katu Virya and is Ushna in
Vipaka. Akarkara pacies Kapha and Vata Doshas so It
can be used in diseases of Kapha and Vata origin. The
pharmacological activities/properties of Akarkara as
per modern scientic published literature are discussed:
Aphrodisiac
The roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. (Compositae)
are employed in Ayurvedic system of medicine as
“Vajikaran Rasayana”--a category of drugs for vitality
and virility. They are believed to have aphrodisiac
action. In an investigation undertaken to evaluate
their effects on sexual behavior in male rats. Thirty-
two male Wistar rats were divided into control group,
testosterone group, low-dose (50 mg/kg) petroleum
ether extract (PEE) group and high-dose (100 mg/kg)
PEE group. PEE obtained from the roots of Anacyclus
pyrethrum was administered orally to albino rats once
daily, and 0.5 mg/kg (body weight) of testosterone
was given intramuscularly twice weekly and served as
positive control. The course of treatment was 28 days.
The effects of PEE and testosterone on changes in body
and accessory sexual organ weights, sexual behavior,
penile erection and sexual performance were studied
before treatment, after 15 and 28 days of treatment and 7
and 15 days after treatment. After 28 days of treatment,
PEE and testosterone had a marked inuence on body
and accessory sexual organ weights as compared with
arachis oil. The treated male rats were more receptive
and oriented towards female rats and showed increased
precopulatory activitie. The penile erection index
was signicantly increased with reduction in mount
latency and intromission latency period. There were
four-fold increase in mount and three-fold increase
in intromission frequency in treated rats reecting
improved sexual performance. The behavioral and
sexual parameters were also observed after a lapse of
7 and 15 days of discontinuance of drug treatment.
Unlike testosterone, the PEE of Anacyclus pyrethrum
shows efcacy in rats tested after the lapse of 7 and 15
days of discontinuation of treatment. This suggests that
the drug has prolonged effect and capacitate the treated
rats for improved sexual potential.
Aphrodisiac activity may be due to an increase in the
production or effect of androgens, so this study sought
to weighing between 150 and 180 g were completely
randomized divided into ve groups. The ethanol
solution extract of A. pyrethrum was administered
to groups of rats in 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses
for a period of 28 days, and the action was compared
with control and testosterone-treated rats. Thirteen
N-alkylamides were detected in the extract by using C/
UV/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method.
Extract administration at all the doses produced

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signicant increase in body weight, sperm count,
motility, and viability along with serum testosterone,
luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone
concentrations. Histoarchitecture of testis revealed
increased spermatogenic activities. Seminal fructose
content was also signicantly increased after 28 days
of treatment. Our results suggest that the ethanol
solution extract of the roots of A. pyrethrum has
androgenic potential and may improve male fertility
by enhancing spermatogenesis.
Oral/ Dental care
Two hundred dental patients were subjected to
a double blind study following oral surgery for
comparing the activity of an alcoholic extract of the
roots of A. pyrethrum (2% alcohol extract, freshly
dissolved in sterile distilled water) with xylocaine.
The strength of anaesthesia, its effect on surgery, post-
operative recovery and wound healing were studied.
The plant extract was found useful and safe at lower
concentrations (less than 2%), not showing any side
effects and facilitated anaesthesia for prolonged oral
reconstructive surgery when compared with xylocaine.
In a study to determine the antibacterial activity of
Anacyclus Pyrethrum against some of the oral bacteria,
such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans
,Streptococcus sanguis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
The antibacterial effect of Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract
against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus
sanguis was not significant. Anacyclus Pyrethrum
had no antibacterial effect against either
Streptococcus mutans or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Immunomodulatory
Evaluation of A. pyrethrum extract for its effect on
normal and chemically suppressed immune systems in
vivo was assesswd.Petroleum ether extract (PEE) of
roots was tested at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose. The effect
of both doses on total and differential leukocyte count,
cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression,
survival rate against Candida albicans infection,
delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, percentage
neutrophil adhesion, and phagocytic activity were
tested. The PEE-treated rats were able to overcome
cyclophosphamide-induced myelo-suppression as
evidenced by the normalization of blood parameters.
Survival rate of albino rats was improved in Candida
albicans-infected animals by treatment with the extract
(p <0.05). An increase in delayed type hypersensitivity
response (DTH), percentage neutrophil adhesion, and
in vivo phagocytosis by carbon clearance method
was observed after treatment. Extract administration
also increased the HA titer value and IgG antibodies.
Immunostimulant activity increased two-fold upon
doubling the dosage of extract administered. While
a signicant (p <0.05) improvement was observed
in the humoral component, a highly signicant (p
<0.01) effect was observed in the cellular components
of the immunity evaluated. The results thus provide
a basis for the use of A. pyrethrum as an adaptogen
and immunomodulator in the Ayurvedic system of
medicine
Antidepressant
An experiment was designed by different method such
as locomotor activity, haloperidolinduced catalepsy,
forced swim test (FST) Tail suspension test (TST),
clonidine-induced hypothermia & Reserpine –induced
hypothermia on Swiss male albino mice.Standarad
root extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum (AP root extract)
showed an increase in ambulatory behavior indicating
a stimulant effect of the photoactometer. AP root
extract produces a signicant antidepressant effect
in both FST and TST as they reduced the Vol.1 No.3
(June 2012) R. Annalakshmi et al. 64 Review Article
“Anacyclus pyrethrum” (Indian J. Drugs Dis.) http://
www.iseeadyar.org/ijdad.html ISSN: 2278–294x
(Print), ISSN: 2278- 2958 (Online) immobility. AP
root extract was found to be effective in reversing
hypothermia produced by clonidine and reserpine.
The AP root extract inhibited haloperidol-induced
catalepsy. It suggests that, AP root extract might
produce antidepressant effect by interaction with
adrenergic and dopamine receptor thereby increasing
the level of noradrenaline and dopamine in brains of
mice.
Anticonvulsant activity
Electro-convulsive shock, inducing Hind limb
tonic Extension (HLTE) in 99% of the animals, was
previously determined (Kamalinejad et al., 2000)
corneal electrodes were used for bilateral delivery of
electrical stimulus. Electro-convulsive shock (50mA
for 0.2 sec) was delivered through corneal electrode
to induce HLTE phase in mice. The electrical stimulus
was applied using a stimulator apparatus for ve
groups of six each (Gautam, 2011). Group I served

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as control (vehicle treated) (i.p.); Group II served as
standard (received phenytoin sodium 25 mg/kg body
weight, i.p.)Group III, IV,V were treated with ethanolic
extract as 200,400,and 600mg/kg body weight, i.p.
respectively. The current was delivered after 30 min of
intraperitonial administration of control and standard.
The incidence and duration of HLTE was noted. It
shows that the extract signicantly decreased the
duration of HLTE phase in maximum electroshock
induced seizures.the MES test is considered to be a
predictor of likely therapeutic efcacy generalized
tonic-clonic seizures (Loscher & Schmidt, 1998),
1988). MES induced tonic seizures can be prevented
either by drugs that inhibit voltage dependent Na ion
channels, such as phenytoin, valproate and lamotrigine
(Porter & Rogawski, 1990) or by drugs that block
glutamatergic excitation mediated by the N-Methyl
–D-asparatate (NMDA) receptor such as felbamate
(Fielding et al., 1995). The ethanolic extract from
roots of AP can inhibit voltage dependent sodium ion
channels as phenytoin in MES induced tonic seizures.
Traditional uses of Akarkara
Akarkara is indicated in toothache, mouth diseases,
dry mouth and paralysis of the tongue. Internally,
it is useful as a tonic in weak digestion, as an
aphrodisiac, in gout, sciatica, epilepsy and lethargy,
constipation, malaria, chronic rheumatism, worms; as
asternutatory in chronic head and nasal catarrh For the
preparation of “pyrethrum vinegar” as a mouthwash
for toothache and in various recipes such as Tinctura
odontalgicahamburgensis (Tinctura Spilanthis comp.)
In Myanmar (Burma) Pyrethri radix, together with
Cardamomi fructus, Liquiritiae radix and Caryophylli
os, forms part of the traditional medicinal formulation
laymyoshitsei hsay (Huxley, 1992). In India, as a
gargle for toothache and as an infusion for rheumatic
complaints (Gautam, 2011; Loscher & Schmidt,
1998), 1988) as a nerve tonic in facial paralysis.
Paralysis, hemiplegia, epilepsy and cholera, and also
in rheumatism, sciatica and oedema. Local application
to the forehead is said to cure headaches
Some Common Uses of Akarkara
•It is used with oil for massage in hemiplegia
and nervine debility.
•Decoction of Akarkara root is used for gargling
in dental caries, toothache and tonsillitis.
•In abscess, it is applied externally for assimi-
lation and maturation. By its application, skin
becomes reddish and boils occur.
•It is applied externally as an analgesic.
•Akarkara Nasya is given in chronic rhinitis and
cold.
•It is used in various aphrodisiac oils prepared
in unani medicine.
•Akarkara is used internally in various types of
Vata disorders and low Pitta.
•It is used in sexually transmitted diseases and
inammation.
•It is useful in rough and hoarseness of voice.
•Akarkara is also helpful in impotency caused
by weakness of nerves. It is used as Rasayana
in Kapha diseases.
•If the Akarkara root powder is given in a dose
of more than 0.5 to 1 gm, it results in nausea,
bleeding increase in heart rate, unconscious-
ness etc. in such conditions, milk and other
Pitta pacifying measures should be used as an-
tidotes.
•Akarkara capsules should be taken with milk
to alleviate premature ejaculation. It will also
improve physical strength.
References
1. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2010 Aug;8(8):767-
73. Effects of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus
pyrethrum DC. on sexual behavior in male rats.
Sharma V1, Thakur M, Chauhan NS, Dixit VK.
2. Tripathi KD (2005) Essential of medical
pharmacology, 5thed, Newdelhi, India:Medical
Publishers Pvt Ltd. pp:168-172.
3. V. K. Patel1,*, Rupal V. Patel1, H.
Venkatakrishna-Bhatt2, G. Gopalakrishna3 andG.
Devasankariah4A clinical appraisal of Anacyclus
pyrethrum root extract in dental patients.
Phytotherapy Research, Volume 6, Issue 3, pages
158–159, May/June 1992
4. Jalayer Naderi N.a , Niakan M.b , Khodadadi
E.Determination of Antibacterial Activity of
Anacyclus Pyrethrum Extract against Some of the
Oral Bacteria: An In Vitro Study. J Dent Shiraz
Univ Med Scien. 2012 June; 13(2): 59-63
5. R. Annalakshmi, R.Uma, G. Subash Chandran,
A. Muneeswaran. A treasure of medicinal herb -
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India. Part I, Vol. I –VI, New Delhi: Ministry of
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