Spikenard - NutraPedia

Back to Table of Contents

Spikenard Overview

1) Conditions Studied

Spikenard, also known as Nardostachys jatamansi, has been studied for its potential effects on various conditions including:

  • Insomnia and sleep disorders
  • Anxiety and stress-related conditions
  • Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Fungal infections

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

While traditional medicine has used spikenard for various ailments, scientific evidence on its effectiveness is limited and more research is needed to conclusively determine its therapeutic benefits. Some studies suggest potential benefits, but these findings are not definitive.

3) Health Benefits

Spikenard may offer some health benefits, such as:

  • Antioxidant properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Sedative effects that might help improve sleep quality
  • Antifungal and antibacterial properties

4) Downsides

Despite its potential benefits, spikenard can have downsides, including:

  • Possible side effects like stomach upset, nausea, or allergic reactions
  • Interactions with other medications, particularly sedatives
  • Overharvesting leading to its status as an endangered plant

Caution is advised when using spikenard, particularly for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with medical conditions.

5) Genetic Variations

There is limited research on the interaction between spikenard and specific genetic variations. Some individuals may metabolize or react to spikenard differently due to genetic factors. However, there is currently no specific evidence to suggest that spikenard is particularly beneficial or harmful for any genetic variations. Personalized medical advice should be sought for individual concerns.

Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) Research Summary

Neuroprotective Effects: Research has shown that methanolic extracts of Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) can protect C6 glioma cells from oxidative stress. Pretreatment with the extract enhances antioxidant enzyme levels and reduces lipid peroxidation, potentially offering a treatment or prevention for neurodegenerative diseases.

Cardioprotective Properties: Spikenard has been found to counteract heart damage caused by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in rats, stabilizing lipid profiles and normalizing enzyme activities associated with lipid metabolism.

Antioxidant Activity: Hydroalcoholic extracts from Spikenard's rhizomes exhibit strong free radical scavenging capabilities and metal chelating activities, confirming its potent antioxidative potential and supporting its traditional therapeutic uses.

Cognitive and Memory Enhancement: Studies indicate that an ethanolic extract of Spikenard can enhance learning and memory in both young and aged mice, potentially due to its cholinergic transmission enhancement and antioxidant properties.

Stress Mitigation: Spikenard exhibits notable anti-stress properties, likely related to its antioxidant capabilities, effectively countering stress-induced biochemical changes in rats.

Hepatoprotective Effects: Pretreatment with Spikenard extract can significantly reduce liver damage caused by thioacetamide in rats, as evidenced by lowered levels of serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase.

Antidiabetic Potential: Spikenard extract prevents diabetes-related effects of streptozotocin by blocking NF-kappaB activation, protecting pancreatic beta cells from damage.

Antidepressant-like Effects: An ethanolic extract from Spikenard produces significant antidepressant effects in mice without sedative side effects, possibly acting through MAO inhibition and GABA receptor interaction.

Anti-Inflammatory Action: Spikenard's roots have been shown to mitigate lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxin shock in mice, reducing the production of inflammatory mediators.

Chemical Composition: Research has identified two new sesquiterpenoids in Spikenard, alongside known compounds, which were tested for their cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines.

Pancreatic Protection: Spikenard fractions have been found to reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury in mice by promoting HO-1 expression.

Standardization of Spikenard: A validated UPLC-QTOF MS method has been developed for the standardization of Spikenard, using nardin as a marker.

References:


  1. Cytoprotective effect of methanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage in C6 glioma cells
  2. Biochemical study on the protective potential of Nardostachys jatamansi extract on lipid profile and lipid metabolizing enzymes in doxorubicin intoxicated rats
  3. In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC
  4. Activation of pancreatic stellate cells in human and experimental pancreatic fibrosis
  5. An important Indian traditional drug of ayurveda jatamansi and its substitute bhootkeshi: chemical profiling and antioxidant activity
  6. Nardostachys jatamansi improves learning and memory in mice
  7. Stress modulating antioxidant effect of Nardostachys jatamansi
  8. Nardostachys jatamansi protects against liver damage induced by thioacetamide in rats
  9. Nardostachys jatamansi extract protects against cytokine-induced beta-cell damage and streptozotocin-induced diabetes
  10. Inhibition of MAO and GABA: probable mechanisms for antidepressant-like activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. in mice
  11. Two new sesquiterpenoids from the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi
  12. The roots of Nardostachys jatamansi inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxin shock
  13. A rapid and highly sensitive UPLC-QTOF MS method for quantitative evaluation of Nardostachys jatamansi using Nardin as the marker
  14. Nardostachys jatamansi protects against cold restraint stress induced central monoaminergic and oxidative changes in rats
  15. Effect of biologically active fraction of Nardostachys jatamansi on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis
  16. Nardostachys Jatamansi DC: its sedative and depressant action as estimated by Warburg technique
  17. Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on biogenic amines and inhibitory amino acids in the rat brain
  18. The inhibitory effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on alcoholic chronic pancreatitis
  19. The beneficial effects of Nardostachys jatamansi extract on diet-induced severe acute pancreatitis
  20. Neolignans and Lignans of Nardostachys jatamansi Roots1
  21. Protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi in rat cerebral ischemia
  22. Neuroprotective efficacy of Nardostachys jatamansi and crocetin in conjunction with selenium in cognitive impairment
  23. Development and evaluation of hepatoprotective polyherbal formulation containing some indigenous medicinal plants
  24. Evaluation of toxicological and antioxidant potential of Nardostachys jatamansi in reversing haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats
  25. Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity
  26. Antioxidant effect and study of bioactive components of Valeriana sisymbriifolia and Nardostachys jatamansii in comparison to Valeriana officinalis
  27. Jatamols A and B: Sesquiterpenoids of Nardostachys jatamansi Roots1
  28. Reversal of reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia and catalepsy by Nardostachys jatamansi
  29. Protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi on oxidative injury and cellular abnormalities during doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage in rats
  30. Nardostachys jatamansi inhibits severe acute pancreatitis via mitogen-activated protein kinases
  31. Screening of selected Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity
  32. Anticonvulsant and neurotoxicity profile of Nardostachys jatamansi in rats
  33. Nardostachys jatamansi protects against cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis
  34. The role of antioxidant properties of Nardostachys jatamansi in alleviation of the symptoms of the chronic fatigue syndrome
  35. Structure and stereochemistry of nardostachysin, a new terpenoid ester constituent of the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi
  36. Attenuation by Nardostachys jatamansi of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced parkinsonism in rats: behavioral, neurochemical, and immunohistochemical studies


Upload Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) raw DNA data today and take a deep dive into your genome!

Or if you only have standard microarray data currently, upload raw DNA data to get started with your free DNA raw data analysis today!