Observed in vitro, Areca catechu has a significant paralyzing effect on Clonorchis sinensis, and its pharmacological effect of insect inhibition is to interfere with the nervous system of Clonorchis sinensis, which belongs to the exogenous effect of enhancing inhibitory neurotransmitters, that is, cholinergic effect. It is also reported that betel nut has insecticidal effect on ascaris suum. Areca nut decoction has paralyzing effect on pinworm.
2. Anti-pathogenic microorganism: The aqueous extract of Areca catechu (1: 1) has inhibitory effect on dermatophytes such as Trichophyton purpurea and Xu Lan broad bean in vitro. Decocting and soaking in water have certain inhibitory effects on some strains of influenza A virus, and its antiviral effect may be related to its tannins.
3. The effect of arecoline on cholinergic receptor is similar to pilocarpine, which can excite M- cholinergic receptor to increase gland secretion, especially saliva secretion, so as to narrow the pupil, increase the tension of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, increase intestinal peristalsis, exuberant secretion of digestive juice and increase appetite. Shrink bronchus, slow down heart rate, and can cause vasodilation and blood pressure drop. Injection of arecoline into the lateral ventricle of rabbits leads to convulsion, salivation and chewing, slow heart rate and respiratory excitement, but the duration is short. The EEG of most rabbits showed biphasic response. When atropine was used together, the EEG showed low-amplitude fast wave with epileptic discharge, while when scopolamine was used together, the EEG showed peak slow wave completely. Arecoline has cholinergic effects on the central nervous system. Subcutaneous injection of arecoline hydrobromide derivative 10mg/kg can cause salivation and tremor in mice. Injecting a small amount of arecoline into cats can cause cortical arousal response, and atropine can weaken or block this effect. Areca catechu injection has obvious contractive effect on gallbladder of dogs or cats in vitro or in vivo. If combined with rhubarb injection, it can enhance the contractility of common bile duct and accelerate bile discharge, suggesting that it is beneficial to the discharge of common bile duct stones. Areca catechu has a certain contraction effect on human gallbladder, which can promote bile to be discharged from gallbladder, but the intensity of its contraction effect is not significant. Areca catechu can slow down the heart rate and contract coronary artery and uterine smooth muscle in rabbits. It can also enhance the contraction effect of atropine on blood vessels of lower limbs in mice.
4. Other effects Polyphenols isolated from Areca catechu can significantly inhibit transplanted Ehrlich ascites carcinoma injected intraperitoneally in mice. Subcutaneous injection of arecoline can inhibit the general activities of mice, and can improve the activity reduction and memory damage caused by chlorpromazine. Various phenolic compounds isolated from betel nut can prevent dental caries and gingivitis. Ethyl acetate extract of areca catechu can cause uterine spasm during pregnancy in rats. Some experiments also show that betel nut is toxic to mouse embryos and can delay the development of fetal rats, especially unprocessed betel nut. Continuous administration of areca nut can enhance the carcinogenicity of carcinogens 4- nitroquinoline-1- 0-oxide and fluorenyl acetamide in rats.