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B. Maheswari Reddy1*, B.V.S. Lakshmi1, C.K. Dhanpal2.
1Department of Pharmacology, Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy (Osmania University), Dhulapally, Maisammaguda, Secunderabad-500014, T.S., INDIA.
2Department of Pharmacy, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Engg. & Technology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, T.N., INDIA.

MINI-REVIEW ARTICLE
Volume 6, Issue 1, Page 46-52.

*Author for correspondence
E-mail: mahi.unaj@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Calamus aromaticus is the synonym of Acorus Calamus (Sweet flag).It is a perennial, grass-like monocot plant with creeping rhizomes and scented leaves belonging to the family Acoraceae. Chemical analysis of sweet flag shows that it contains phenyl propanoids, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, xanthone glycosides, flavones, steroids, α- and β-asarone and various other constituents. Several, recently published reports have revealed many newer useful bioactivities of leaves and rhizome extracts, essential oils and isolated chemical constituents such as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-adipogenic, antimicrobial, fungicidal, insulin sensitizing/Antidiabetic, neuroprotective, mitogenic, insecticidal, anthelmintic, allelopathic, antiepileptic, insecticidal, larvicidal. This review presents a pragmatic description that deals with chemical constituents, toxicology, ethno botany and pharmacological properties of A. calamus for easy and better understanding of the outstanding medicinal potential of this very special plant and sirens for its conservation.
Keywords: Acorus calamus, Acorus gramineus, Acoraceae, Pharmacology.