[Asarone and its biological properties]

In acute and chronic experiments on mice, rats, cats and rabbits in a wide range of tests, a study was conducted of the biological properties of alpha-asarone (1-propenyl-2,4,5- methoxybenzol)--etherophenol, isolated by the authors from the roots of Asarum europaeum. It was determined that the LD50 of asarone for mice in enteral administration was 417.6 mg/kg, in intra-abdominal--310 mg/kg. The preparation has quite diverse biological activity--tranquilizing, sedative, antiulcer, spasmolytic and antisclerosing. In its pharmacological properties the studied asarone is identical with asarone obtained from Acorus calamus and Guatteria.