Background: Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic that has been recognized as the most leading global risk for mortality, with its prevalence associated with increased blood pressure, concomitant risks of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, and major commonality in individuals advanced in age. With the current treatment options for hypertension management, there is still a need to develop therapies that directly target receptors that aid in hypertension treatment. Methodology: The study focused on the in-silico profiling of the reported compounds from Areca catechu L. (fam. Arecaceae) towards the n-domain and c-domain angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) receptor models. Bioisosteric replacement was used to create bioisosteres investigated for similar binding affinity. Results: Some A. catechu compounds exhibited favorable binding energies towards the n- and c-domain receptor models of ACE, binding in the same ACE ligand binding site as lisinopril, benazepril, and sampatrilat via similar interactions and amino acid residues. The majority of A. catechu compounds with favorable ACE binding energies belong to the phytochemical classes of flavonoids, polyphenols and phenolics, glycosides, and steroids. After in silico toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiling, the bioisosteres Leuco-DM02-39, Leuco-DM02-66, Leuco-DM05-60, Querc-DM09-63, and Querc-DM14-31 with binding energies higher than their parent compounds and comparable to lisinopril, benazepril, and sampatrilat were deemed the best. Conclusion A. catechu compounds have the potential to target ACE n-domain and c-domain receptor models. Three leucocyanidin and two quercetin bioisosteres exhibited favorable binding to the n-domain and c-domain ACE receptor models and could be further optimized to derive a promising antihypertensive agent through ACE inhibition.
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Areca ; Hypertension

OBJECTIVEThe color difference meter and electronic nose fingerprint analyzer were introduced to discriminate processed betel nut's different huohou and quantize empirical index during the processing of Chinese medicine.

METHODBy collecting the color's and the smell's characteristic parameters of betel nut and its processed products to set up huohou's math discrimination modules and 90% reference value scale.

RESULTWe set up a huohou's math discrimination module and 90% reference value range base on L a*b*, which discrimination coincidence was 100% and 90% reference value range respectively was Shengpin: L* (50.07-55.03), a* (4.136-6.906), b* (6.65-8.82); Chaopin: L* (43.874-47.998), a* (3.816-6.732), b* (3.786-6.558); Jiaopin: L* (38.744-40.616), a* (1.11-3.01), b* (-1.434-0.538). At the same time, we set up a huohou's math discrimination module base on smell's characteristic parameters too.

CONCLUSIONThe betel nut and its processed products' color and smell measurement based on the color difference meter and electronic nose fingerprint analyzer may be feasible, and provides a reference to better study on traditional Chinese medicine theory.

A number of clinical practices and studies indicated that areca nuts showed such effects as anthelmintic, food retention removal, qi activation and diuresis, and elimination of wetness and jaundice. Arecoline is the most important pharmacological active ingredient for healthcare from areca plants with a wide influence on human functions. In recent years, a lot of studies have been made on areca nuts and arecoline's pharmacology, physiology and immunity. The article summarizes areca nuts and their active substances.
Areca ; chemistry ; Humans ; Nuts ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Arecae Semen, as the first place among "Four South Medicines" in China, has great dual-use value of medicine and food. The research of Arecae Semen was mainly focused on the active ingredients and efficacy value, and its potential safety hazards were also concerned. Until now, there is still a lack of clear boundaries between medicine and food, resulting in its safety cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is of great significance to establish clear boundaries of medicine and food use and health risk assessment. In this paper, the differences of pretreatment and application methods of Arecae Semen were analyzed, and the research progress of Arecae Semen in chemical composition identification and toxicology research and safety evaluation were reviewed emphatically. Finally, the differences of quality control and safety evaluation of Arecae Semen in pharmacopoeias or standards were analyzed at home and abroad. It was expected to provide reference value for quality control, safety evaluation and international standardization research of Arecae Semen.
Areca ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Seeds ; Semen

This study describes the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and melanogenesis inhibition activities of methanol extract and various organic solvent fractions of Arecae Pericarpium. We examined the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging activity, mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity and melanin contents. The study showed that, among all tested fractions, methylene chloride fraction showed the strongest inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells (IC₅₀ value 8.89 µg/mL) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀ value 21.39 µg/mL). Methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions similarly inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity. Methanol extract exhibited strongest reduction of melanin content in B16F10 melanoma cells. Based on the bioactivity assay results, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions were further separated. Eight phenolic compounds were isolated, which are dimeric syringol (1), catechol (2), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3), vanillin (4), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (5), apocynin (6), protocatechuic acid (7) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (8). Among the isolated compounds tested, catechol showed the strongest inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Catechol also showed the concentration-dependent NF-κB inhibition activity. Arecae Pericarpium might have potentials to be developed as anti-inflammatory agent or dermatological product for skin-whitening agent.
Agaricales ; Areca* ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Methanol ; Methylene Chloride ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Nitric Oxide ; Phenol ; RAW 264.7 Cells

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a facultative anaerobic bacterium mainly found in the oral cavity and is known to contribute to tooth decay and gingivitis. Recent studies on intestinal microbiota have revealed that microorganisms forming a biofilm play important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis through their own metabolism. However, the physiological roles of oral microorganisms such as S. mutans are still unclear. In our current study, we identified that constituents released from S. mutans (CR) reduce arecoline-mediated cytotoxicity without producing toxic effects themselves. Arecoline, as a major alkaloid of areca nut, is known to mediate cytotoxicity on oral epithelial cells and induces a sustained intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) increase that is cytotoxic. The exposure of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells to CR not only inhibited the sustained [Ca2+]i increase but also the initial [Ca2+]i elevation. In contrast, CR had no effects on the gene regulation mediated by arecoline. These results demonstrate that S. mutans has physiological role in reducing cytotoxicity in HGF cells and may be considered a novel pharmaceutical candidate.
Areca ; Arecoline ; Biofilms ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Gingivitis ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Microbiota ; Mouth ; Nuts ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: To assess and compare the salivary flow rate (SFR) and salivary pH among areca nut chewers, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients and apparently healthy individuals. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted to assess and compare the SFR and pH among 135 outpatients (45 areca nut chewers + 45 OSMF + 45 control) at The Oxford Dental College and Research Hospital, Bangalore, India. Subjects were interviewed using structural proforma and Modified Schirmer strips and pH paper were implemented for assessing SFR and pH respectively. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 software. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in SFR (35.7 mm at 3rd minutes) among areca nut group and a decrease in SFR among OSMF group (23.4 mm at 3rd minutes) when compared to apparently healthy subjects (30.7 mm at 3rd minutes). The mean pH among areca nut, OSMF and control groups was 6.76, 6.82, and 6.74 respectively with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The observation and findings of the study clearly showed hypersalivation among areca nut group and hyposalivation among OSMF group, with no significant change in salivary pH when compared to healthy subjects.
Areca* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; India ; Nuts* ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis* ; Outpatients ; Saliva ; Sialorrhea ; Xerostomia

The main chemical composition of Arecae Semen has been summarized, which can bring the pharmacological action and toxicological action to the nervous system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, urinary and reproductive system. Arecae Semen has inhibition and killing effect to most parasite. It can also activate the cholinergic receptor, promote gastrointestinal propulsive motility in mice and inhibit helicobacter pylori, Xu Lang schoenleinii, influenza virus. Arecae Semen chewing results in oral mucositis fibrosis, which has not only carcinogenic mutagenic effect but also eproductive and nervous system toxicity. And Chinese medicine Yinpian use Arecae Semen of compatibility has no adverse reaction reports.
Animals ; Areca ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of chewing fresh or dried betel nut on the inci-dence and canceration of oral mucosa disease in Haikou City in Hainan Province.

METHODSThrough a survey questionnaire, clinical examination, and regular follow-up, we collected clinical data from 1 722 cases and divided them into two groups, among which 704 of the afflicted people chew dried betel nut, whereas the other 1 018 chew fresh betel nut. The data were 
statistically analyzed using different variables which included age, number, time of onset of the disease, and the cancerous condition associated with common oral mucosa disease, including oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), oral leukoplakia (OLK), and oral Lichen planus (OLP).

RESULTS1) The study found no significant difference in the prevalence of oral mucosa diseases between the dried betel nut group (n=704) and fresh betel nut group (n=1 018) among the 1 722 cases (P>0.05), but the peak age of oral mucosal disease was more advanced in the dried betel nut group (P<0.01). 2) The incidence within 5 years of OSF, OLK, OLP, and oral mucosa diseases in the dried betel nut group was significantly higher than that in the fresh betel nut group (P<0.01). 3) The incidence of cancer for oral mucosa disease in patients included in the dried betel nut group was significantly higher than that in the fresh betel nut group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSChewing dried betel nut is more pathogenic and carcinogenic than chewing fresh betel nut. The extremely harmful components of the dried betel nut synergistically play a vital role in the occurrence and carcinogenesis of oral mucosal diseases.

The relationship between areca nut as a primary carcinogen and oral cancer has been widely concerned. Areca can change the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy in cells, and the levels of ROS and autophagy are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. This paper reviewed the relationships among areca nut, intracellular ROS, and autophagy.
Areca ; Autophagy ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Nuts ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species