Pharmacokinetic study comparing pure desoxo-narchinol A and nardosinonediol with extracts from Nardostachys jatamansi.

Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NR) is a valuable medicinal herb widely used in Korea, India, and China for the treatment of many diseases. Desoxo-narchinol A (DA) and nardosinonediol (ND) are the two main bioactive compounds belonging to the sesquiterpene group. Desoxo-narchinol A possesses anti-inflammatory activity while ND exhibits anti-depressant and cardioprotective activities.

An optimized HPLC-UV method for quantitatively determining sesquiterpenes in Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma.

Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NR), the root and rhizome from either Nardostachys jatamansi Batal or Nardostachys jatamansi DC, is known to have biological functions including neuro-protective and anti-pancreatitis activity. The main bioactive compounds within NR are all classified as sesquiterpenes, and include desoxo-narchinol A, nardosinonediol, and nardosinone. Although NR is a valuable herb that is widely used in many Asian countries, robust quality control protocols for NR are still in question, especially those that can analyze the three main active compounds.