Neurotropic components from star anise (Illicium verum HOOK. fil.)

Three new neurotropic sesquiterpenoids, veranisatins A, B and C, were isolated from star anise (Illicium verum HOOK. fil., Illiciaceae). Veranisatins showed convulsion and lethal toxicity in mice at a dose of 3 mg/kg (p.o.), and at lower doses they caused hypothermia. Veranisatin A and the related compound, anisatin, were tested for the other pharmacological activities such as locomotor activity and analgesic effect. Both compounds decreased the locomotion enhanced by methamphetamine at oral doses of 0.1 and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively, and demonstrated the analgesia on acetic acid- induced writhing and tail pressure pain at almost similar doses.