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Akarkara

Akarkara is the root of a daisy-like plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum, long used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and rich in plant compounds called alkylamides. People mostly look at it for testosterone and male fertility, and in rats the root extract roughly doubled testosterone and luteinizing hormone and increased sperm-making activity. No human trials exist, so the evidence is very limited, and it's unclear whether these results carry over to people.

Sources: PMID 22473789; PMID 36235444

Best evidence
Grade D
Conditions studied
2
Outcomes
7
Graded outcomes
0007

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

2 conditions, plus general outcomes

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease: outcomes studied for Akarkara
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Neuroprotection

In rodent models, Anacyclus pyrethrum reduced oxidative stress markers, restored antioxidant enzyme activity, and may reduce amyloid-beta accumulation via Bcl-2/Bax modulation (PMID:31710948). A 2023 in vitro study confirmed anti-Alzheimer enzyme inhibitory activity of akarkara root-derived metabolites through bioassay-guided fractionation (PMID:37978514).

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect6 studies

Studies that measured neuroprotection

General

General: outcomes studied for Akarkara
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Testosterone & Male Fertility

In a 28-day rat study, Anacyclus pyrethrum root extract (50-150 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent increases in serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone to approximately 2x baseline, alongside increased spermatogenic activity and seminal fructose content (PMID:22473789). No human trials exist.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect5 studies

Studies that measured testosterone & male fertility

Sexual Function & Libido

In rodent models, Anacyclus pyrethrum extract enhanced penile erection index by 202%, mounting frequency by 196-266%, and intromission frequency by 173-384% compared to controls, with effects persisting 15 days after discontinuation (PMID:20727332). No human clinical trials have been conducted.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect5 studies

Studies that measured sexual function & libido

Seizure Susceptibility

In rat seizure models, hydroalcoholic extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum showed 50-100% protection against tonic-clonic seizures, with both aqueous and methanolic extracts demonstrating anticonvulsive effects (PMID:21993359). All evidence is preclinical.

Changes; see studiesModerate effect5 studies

Studies that measured seizure susceptibility

Immune Function

A preclinical study found that petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum exhibited immunomodulatory activity in an animal model, suggesting effects on immune cell function (PMID:20843161). No human trials have evaluated akarkara for immunomodulation.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect5 studies

Studies that measured immune function

Inflammation

A 2023 study using bioassay-guided fractionation and GC-MS analysis of akarkara root metabolites demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects through enzyme inhibition assays, supported by in silico molecular docking (PMID:37978514). All evidence is preclinical and in vitro.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect5 studies

Studies that measured inflammation

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD): outcomes studied for Akarkara
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Memory & Cognition

In a rat model, Anacyclus pyrethrum protected against seizure-induced cognitive impairment, increasing platform crossings and decreasing escape latency in spatial memory tests, possibly via enhanced cholinergic neurotransmission (PMID:23242789). No human data exists.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect5 studies

Studies that measured memory & cognition

Key findings

  • NeuroprotectionAlzheimer’s DiseaseImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Testosterone & Male FertilityImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Sexual Function & LibidoImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop Akarkara

Third-party tested Akarkara products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade D

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Studies cited

11 studies from PubMed

  1. Alkaloids from Anacyclus pyrethrumPhytochemistry, 2024 · PMID 39216630
  2. Combinative effects of akarkara root-derived metabolites on anti-inflammatory and anti-alzheimer key enzymes: integrating bioassay-guided fractionation, GC-MS analysis, and in silico studiesBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2023 · PMID 37978514
  3. Phytochemistry, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag: A Systematic ReviewPlants (Basel), 2022 · PMID 36235444
  4. A clinical and microbiological study to assess the efficacy of Acmella oleracea and Acacia catechu herbs as local drug delivery in treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis patientsJournal of Indian Society of Periodontology, 2022 · PMID 35602538
  5. Anticonvulsive and neuroprotective effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum root in kainic acid-induced-status epilepticus in miceEpilepsy Res, 2020 · PMID 31710948
  6. Androgenic and spermatogenic activity of alkylamide-rich ethanol solution extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum DCPhytother Res, 2013 · PMID 22473789
  7. Effect of Anacyclus pyrethrum on pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling, spatial memory, oxidative stress and rho-kinase II expression in miceNeurochem Res, 2013 · PMID 23242789
  8. Root extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum ameliorates seizures, seizure-induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in experimental animalsEpilepsy Res, 2012 · PMID 21993359
  9. Effects of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. on sexual behavior in male ratsZhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao, 2010 · PMID 20727332
  10. Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrumPharmaceutical Biology, 2010 · PMID 20843161
  11. Strong larvicidal activity of three species of Spilanthes (Akarkara) against malaria and filaria vectorsParasitology Research, 2007 · PMID 17922235