A novel alcohol steamed preparation from Gastrodia elata Blume: Pharmacological assessment of a functional food

Abstract

Rhizoma Gastrodia (Orchidaceae; Gastrodia elata Blume), the rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (GE), is traditionally used as both a medicinal and functional food, with proven efficacy in treating mental disorders. In traditional processing, GE is washed, steamed with water, dried, and sliced. In this study, a novel processing technology-alcohol steamed GE (AGE) was proposed as an alternative. Totally, 17 compounds were identified in fresh GE and AGE. Compared with fresh GE, the relative content of parishin A and parishin E decreased after alcohol steaming, whereas gastrodin (GAS), p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (HBA), Parishin B, and Parishin C were increased. Additionally, the pentobarbital-induced sleep mice model and Chronic Restraint Stress (CRS) model were applied to evaluate the pharmacological effects of fresh GE and steamed GE, and both fresh and steamed GE showed an intensive hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect. Furthermore, the anti-anxiety mechanism based on serum metabolic was investigated and the tryptophan metabolic pathway was considered the response to the anti-anxiety effect of GE. Although the optimization of the processing technology of AGE still needs to be further explored, the current results have provided new thoughts for the processing technology and clinical application of GE.

Differences in Volatile Organic Compounds in Rhizoma gastrodiae (Tian Ma) of Different Origins Determined by HS-GC-IMS

“…In China, Gastrodia elata is recommended for treating headaches, dizziness, tremors, and epilepsy, and to help improve central nervous system disorders. Modern research has also confirmed that Rhizoma gastrodiae has shown good application in central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and cognitive dysfunction [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The main active ingredients of Rhizoma gastrodiae to improve central nervous system (CNS) disorders are its rich phenolic compounds, such as gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and parishin [ 7 ].…”

HS-GC-IMS Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Different Varieties and Harvesting Times of Rhizoma gastrodiae (Tian Ma) in Yunnan Province

“…GC-IMS has the advantage Not only is Rhizoma gastrodiae a food product, but it is also a medicinal plant with a wealth of active substances and health functions. Studies have shown that Rhizoma gastrodiae is rich in gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin, polysaccharides, sterols, organic acids, and other components [4], which also makes Rhizoma gastrodiae play a better protective role in the central nervous system and can significantly improve diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion [5][6][7]. As a result, Rhizoma gastrodiae has greater potential for development in the functional food and pharmaceutical markets, and Rhizoma gastrodiae-related functional foods are gradually appearing on the market and receiving attention from researchers and consumers alike.…”