Agastache rugosa plant medical uses and treatment

Agastache rugosa is called by several common names including Korean Mint, Purple Giant Hyssop, Huo xiang, and Wrinkled Giant Hyssop. This plant is used often by Chinese herbalists.

Human studies - None could be found as of December 2009.

Benefit of agastache rugosa herb
The agastache rugosa plant is promoted as having antifungal and anti-cancer properties.

Antifungal activity
Estragole is an essential oil from Agastache rugosa that has antifungal activity.

Antioxidant activity
Protein kinase G-dependent heme oxygenase-1 induction by Agastache rugosa leaf extract protects RAW264.7 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 16; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 92 Chilam-dong, Jinju 660-751, South Korea.
It has been proposed that the inducible isoform of heme oxygenase (HO) protects cells against oxidant-mediated injury. Although components of Agastache rugosa showed antioxidant effect, it is unclear this effect is related with HO-1 activity. Thus, we investigated the effects of Agastache rugosa leaf extract on HO-1 protein expression and enzyme activity, and its protective effect against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage was also investigated using RAW264.7 macrophage cells.  Our results show this herb may be beneficial for the treatment of oxidant-induced cellular injuries.

Root composition of agastache rugosa
Roots of Agastache rugosa have maslinic acid, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, 3-O-acetyl oleanolic aldehyde, acacetin, tilianin, agastachoside, daucosterol, beta-sitosterol, and dehydroagastol. Agastaquinone is a diterpenoid quinone found in the root of this plant.

Essential oils in Agastache rugosa
These include estragole, methylchavicol, d-limonene, caryophyllene, and hexadecanoic acid.

Lignans in Agastache rugosa
Agastinol and agastenol are lignans found in agastache rugosa.

Animal studies
Agastache rugosa has an anti-atherogenic effect in low density lipoprotein receptors in mice.

In vitro studies
Agastache rugosa leaf extract inhibits the iNOS expression in ROS 17/2.8 cells activated with TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.
Arch Pharm Res. 2005 March. Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-751, Korea.
It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may act as a mediator of cytokine-induced effects on bone turn-over. NO is also recognized as an important factor in bone remodeling, i.e., participating in osteoblast apoptosis in an arthritic joint. The components of Agastache rugosa are known to have many pharmacological activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Agastache rugosa leaf extract on NO production and the iNOS expression in ROS cells activated by a mixture of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Our results suggest that Agastache rugosa leaf extract may be beneficial in NO-mediated inflammatory conditions such as osteoporosis.

Agastache rugosa herb questions
Q. I came across a product called Nohang that has Agastache rugosa. Does Agastache rugosa work for alcohol hangover problems? On the Nohang label they call Agastache rugosa beefsteak plant.
   A. We are not aware of any research regarding the use of Agastache rugosa herb as a treatment for alcohol hangover issues. You may consider another product called asparagus extract which could be of benefit for the prevention or treatment of alcohol induced hangover.

Can this herb be taken in combination with ahcc mushroom extract for immune system support?
    We have not seen such studies using this combination.