RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 STUDIES ON ACORUS CALAMUS (III): SOME PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF THE VOLATILE OIL JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 353 OP 359 VO 125 IS 4 A1 P. C. Dandiya A1 H. Cullumbine YR 1959 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/125/4/353.abstract AB The steam volatile fraction of the roots and rhizomes of Acorus catamus prolongs the sleeping time of mice when used with pentobarbital, hexobarbital and ethanol. It reduces body temperature of mice. The maximum reduction of body temperature and the potentiation of the hypnotic activity is observed 1 hour after its administration. It exacerbates tonic seizures provoked by convulsive doses of Metrazol in rats and potentiates the action of reserpine in reducing amphetamine toxicity in aggregated mice. The fall produced in the blood pressure of anesthetized eats is not prevented by vagal, adrenengic or ganglionic blockade and does not appear to be due to any nervous mechanism. It causes dilatation of the blood vessels of the splanchnic area in cats and constricts the blood vessels of the frog's hind limbs. It prevents the action of acetylchohine, histamine and barium chloride on the isolated guinea pig's ileum.