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Anacyclus pyrethrum - Scientific

Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects
| Examine.com
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Anacyclus pyrethrum is a pro-fertility and virility enhancing herb that

is currently in preliminary testing in rodents. The main bioactives in
this plant are the alkylamides (similar to Spilanthes acmella and
Maca), and preliminary evidence seems to confirm its traditional
claims of fertility and libido enhancement as well as its role as a
'brain tonic' (since it appears to have anti-amnesiac and
anti-convulsive effects).
Also Known As
Akarkara, Vajikaran Rasayana, Pellitory Root, Spanish Chamomile,
pyrethrin

Things to Note
Anacyclus pyrethrum is not involved with Pyrethrum
insecticides, as those are made from the plant Tanacetum
cinerariifolium; the similarity of the two is in name only
It has been reported (anecdotally and through practise) that
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application of Anacyclus Pyrethrum to the skin causes

reddening and warmth with some tingling

It seems that alkylamides in general (this herb, spilanthes

acmella, and maca) require daily dosing and build up over time,
but also have their effects persist for some time after
supplementation.

Kurtis Frank

Table of Contents:
1. Source and Composition
1.1. Source
Anacyclus Pyrethrum (of the family Asteraceae) is a plant and herb
from Ayurveda referred to as Akarhara (dried root extract, also
called pyrethrin[1]) or Pellitory root while being under the
classification of Vajikaran Rasayana with other virility enhancers. It
is traditionally used as an Aphrodisiac and fertility herb as well as a
brain tonic for the treatment of paralysis, hemiplegia, cephalalgia
(headache), epilepsy, and rheumatism.[2] It is also thought to
'purge' the body of toxins by stimulating blood flow to the brain and
face, and causing increased salivation and mucus flow.[3]
In other places, it is known as akarkarabh or akallaka (North Africa)

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where it originated only to later be introduced to India.[4] It is also

referred to as spanish chamomile due to looking visually similar to
the chamomile plant.
Anacyclus pyrethrum is a herb traditionally used for male vitality
and virility, with additional benefits in cognition
1.2. Composition
Anaclcus Pyrethrum tends to contain (root extract unless otherwise
specified):
13 Alkylamides mostly based off of isobutylamide[1] of which
includes N-isobutyldienediynamide (Pellitorine or Pyrethrine)
[5][6]

and Anacylin[4] as the major alkylamides

Hydrocarolin[4]
Inulin[4]
Sesamin[4]
Polysaccharides in the hot water fragment of solution[3]

The known bioactives of the root extract appear to be the

alkylamides, although the composition of this plant are not well
known at this moment in time
2. Neurology
2.1. Epilepsy

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200-600mg/kg of an ethanolic anacyclus pyrethrum extract 30

minutes prior to an electroshock induced seizure appeared to exert
protective effects with the lowest dose being most effective (71.37%
recovery) but at a lower potency than 25mg/kg phenytoin.[4]
Elsewhere, a hydroalcoholic extract at 50-500mg/kg orally showed
protective effects when ingested prior to a pentylenetetrazoleinduced seizure (50-100% protection) and a higher dose
(100-1,000mg/kg) showed protection against electroshock induced
seiure (16.7-50%).[2]
The changes in oxidative biomarkers (enzymes and TBARS) as
well as acetylcholinesterase seen with seizures are reduced with
pretreatment of anacyclus pyrethrum.[2]
Anacyclus Pyrethrum appears to have anti-convulsive properties
which are seen following oral ingestion in rats
2.2. Memory and Cognition
In rats with scopolamine-induced memory impairment,
supplementation of an ethanolic extract of anacyclus pyrethrum at
50-200mg/kg was effective in preserving acquisition and retention
of memory with the 100-200mg/kg dosage being comparable in
potency to the reference drug Piracetam (200mg/kg).[7] Anacyclus
pyrethrum also appears to enhance social memory with a potency
comparable to piracetam.[7] Anti-amnesiac effects have also been
noted in rats with induced seizures (normally reduces cognitive
performance) due to the anti-convulsive properties of anacyclus
pyrethrum.[2]
This herb appears to have respectable anti-amnesiac properties,
although its pro-cognitive properties (for usage as a Nootropic)

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have not yet been evaluated and it does not appear to exceed the
reference drug in potency
3. Inflammation and Immunology
3.1. Macrophages
Anacyclus pyrethrum polysaccharide at 25-50mg/kg (I.P injection)
was able to increase the phagocytocic index of macrophages in the
range of 50-115% with 10mg/kg and 100mg/kg not being effective,
a potency greater than Citrullus colocynthis yet lesser than Alpinia
galanga.[3] When tested in vivo, 50-100mg/kg of a petroleum ether
extract was able to preserve phagocytosis in the presence of
cyclophosphamide.[8]
Anacyclus pyrethrum appears to increase phagocytosis of
macrophages and prevent their immunosuppresion
3.2. Lymphocytes
Immune cell count in spleen cells appears to be enhanced with
25-50mg/kg injections of anacyclus pyrethrum polysaccharide,
suggesting a mitogenic effect.[3]
Appears to have mitogenic effects, although it is not ascertained
which cell populations are stimulated
4. Interactions with Hormones
4.1. Testosterone
Supplementation of anacyclus pyrethrum ethanolic root extract
(50-150mg/kg) over 28 days in rats noted dose-dependent
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increases in testosterone and luteinizing hormone to approximately

two-fold of baseline (exact values not given).[1] It is though
anacyclyus works via stimulating the hypothalamus, as the
alkylaimde class of molecules (also seen in Spilanthes acmella)
have been known to work in this manner.[9]
May increase testosterone in otherwise normal rats alongside its
fertility enhancing effects
5. Interactions with Sexuality
5.1. Libido
A water extract of anacyclus pyrethrum at 50-100mg/kg over 28
days appears to possess libido enhancing properties due to
enhancing the penile erection index (202%), mounting and
intromission frequency (increases of 196-266% and 173-384%,
respectively), and latency time for mounting and intromission
(82-90% and 63-76% of baseline, respectively).[10] All parameters
follow dose and time dependence (100mg/kg outperforming
50mg/kg and 28 days outperforming 15 days) and persisted for up
to 15 days after supplementation[10] and similar values have been
noted elsewhere with the petroleum ether extract.[11]
Appears to have relatively potent libido enhancing properties
which persist for a few weeks after supplement cessation
6. Interactions with Organ Systems
6.1. Testicles
Oral ingestion of 50-150mg/kg of an ethanolic root extract of

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anacyclus pyrethrum over 28 days to male rats appears to causes

increases in the weight of the testicles (2.6-12.3%) and in particular
both the epididymus (8.6-26.1%) and seminal vesicles
(4.3-9.8%).[1] The higher doses were comparable to 0.5mg/kg
injections of testosterone and was not associated with any
abnormal histological signs[1] and similar changes have been seen
with a lyophilized water extract[10] and petroleum ether extract.[11]
In regards to semen the above doses have been noted to increase
sperm motility, viability, fructose content, and count.[1]
There appear to be increases in testicular weight and seminal
parameters suggest increased fertility in male rats
6.2. Prostate
In rats, oral ingestion of 50-150mg/kg of an ethanolic root extract of
anacyclus pyrethrum over 28 days appears to increase the weight
of the prostate (7.5-21.5%) associated with androgenic activity.[1]
This has been noted elsewhere to a similar but slightly lesser
degree.[10][11]
There appears to be an increase in prostate weight associated
with this herb, possibly related to the androgenic activities
7. Safety and Toxicology
7.1. General
300-2,000mg/kg of the ethanolic root extract failed to acutely kill
any rats within 24 hours of observation[4] and elsewhere a study
noting that '50mg/kg and 100mg/kg were 1/20th and 1/10th of the

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LD50 suggest that this value has been established at 1,000mg/kg

for longterm use (of the petroleum root extract).[8] However, a more
prolonged study (90 days) using 1,000mg/kg of the ethanolic
extract in rats failed to find any evidence of toxicity.[12]
Toxicological data is preliminary and by no means expansive, but
currently it seems like the dosages used for supplements are not
associated with any lethality
References
1. Sharma V, et al Androgenic and Spermatogenic Activity of
Alkylamide-Rich Ethanol Solution Extract of Anacyclus
pyrethrum DC . Phytother Res. (2012)
2. Pahuja M, et al Root extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum
ameliorates seizures, seizure-induced oxidative stress and
cognitive impairment in experimental animals . Epilepsy Res.
(2012)
3. Bendjeddou D, Lalaoui K, Satta D Immunostimulating activity of
the hot water-soluble polysaccharide extracts of Anacyclus
pyrethrum, Alpinia galanga and Citrullus colocynthis . J
Ethnopharmacol. (2003)
4. ANTICONVULSANT AND MYORELAXATION ACTIVITY OF
ANACYCLUS PYRETHRUM DC. (AKARKARA) ROOT
EXTRACT
5. Isolation and Structure of an N-isoButyldienediynamide from
Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum DC.)

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6. Boonen J, et al LC-MS N-alkylamide profiling of an ethanolic

Anacyclus pyrethrum root extract . Planta Med. (2012)
7. Memory-enhancing activity of Anacyclus pyrethrum in albino
Wistar rats
8. Sharma V, et al Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether
extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum . Pharm Biol. (2010)
9. Sharma V, et al Spilanthes acmella ethanolic flower extract:
LC-MS alkylamide profiling and its effects on sexual behavior in
male rats . Phytomedicine. (2011)
10. Evaluation of the Anabolic, Aphrodisiac and Reproductive
Activity of Anacyclus Pyrethrum DC in Male Rats
11. Sharma V, et al Effects of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus
pyrethrum DC. on sexual behavior in male rats . Zhong Xi Yi Jie
He Xue Bao. (2010)
12. Toxicological evaluation of ethanolic extract of Anacyclus
pyrethrum in albino wistar rats
(Common misspellings for Anacyclus pyrethrum include Akarhara, analcyclus,
pyrethum, pyethrum, pellory)

(Common phrases used by users for this page include ancylus pyrethrum,
anacyclus pyrethrum d.c., akarkara extract, reaserch works on anacyclus
pyrethrum, ayurvedic herbs akarkara, ANACYCLUS PYRETHRUM)

(Users who contributed to this page include magnusson, , KurtisFrank )

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