Transition of Psychotropic/Neurological Drugs (Part 25) Examination of Applications of Opopanax to Diseases Such as Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Dementia

Abstract

Objective: The history of Opopanax dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, and in ancient Greece BC, it was also known as all-heal and was evaluated as Heraklion (Heracles' all-heal, all-healing). Regarding the resin component of Opopanax, in recent years, many compounds such as ferulic acid, phthalides, and coumarins have been extracted and isolated as phytochemical components, and their chemical structures have been analyzed. Furthermore, their biological and pharmacological activities have been elucidated. Considering these as phytochemical and pharmacological evidence of Opopanax, the author considered the possibility of utilizing Opopanax as a therapeutic agent for diseases such as psychiatric/neurological disorders and dementia. Method: 1) The author investigated the composition of Opopanax utilizing overseas academic literature from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. 2) Researching recent overseas academic literature, the author also investigated the phytochemical composition of Opopanax and its biological and pharmacological activities. Results: 1) From overseas academic literature surveys taken in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, it was found that the components of Opopanax contained oporesinotannol C12H13O2OH as a resin alcohol and ferulic acid as a resin acid. 2) From the surveys of recent overseas academic literature, it was found that the phytochemical composition of Opopanax includes 6 types of phthalides, 15 types of coumarins, and polyacetylene compounds. Additionally, their compounds have various biological and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. As a result of reviewing recent overseas research literature containing a survey on the phytochemical components of Opopanax, it was confirmed that Opopanax also contains various components found in Umbelliferae herbal medicines, such as Angelica acutiloba, Cnidii, Angelica dahurica, and Glehnia. Conclusion: Recent overseas research has resulted in the extraction and isolation of 6 kinds of phthalides, 15 kinds of coumarins, polyacetylene compounds, and other compounds from Opopanax in addition to ferulic acid, and their biological and pharmacological activities have been revealed. It was clarified and confirmed that Opopanax also contains various ingredients found in Umbelliferae herbal medicines such as Angelica acutiloba, Cnidii, Angelica dahurica, and Glehnia. Therefore, it can be expected that this product will have the effects of Angelica acutiloba, Cnidii, Angelica dahurica, and Glehnia according to each ingredient. It is considered that it may be possible to utilize Opopanax for the sedation of psychiatric and neurological disorders and improvement of cognitive function related to Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, when an antiinflammatory component such as furanocoumarin contained in Opopanax is used as phytochemical and pharmacological evidence, it can be expected that Opopanax will be applied to various inflammatory diseases. That is, in the medical field, it is possible that Opopanax can be applied as a therapeutic drug for a wide range of diseases.