Progress in research of antiepileptic effect of acori tatarinowii rhizoma and the mechanism

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders.The worldwide incidence of epilepsy gradually increases with years.Currently,as the main treatment method to epilepsy,the curative effect of drug therapy is limited.Acori tatarinowii rhizoma,a traditional Chinese medicine,has various beneficial effects inducing resuscitation,promoting mentality and calming mind.The extracts from acori tatarinowii rhizoma and its active component(α-asarone) have an antiepileptic and neuroprotective effect.In the central nervous system,it is proved to regulate cerebral function through balance of excitability and inhibition.How to rationally exploit acori tatarinowii rhizoma and transform it into an effective drug as an adjuvant therapy of epilepsy is an aim of investigators' current research.