At present, there are 36 species of areca known in the world, and people in different regions have different classification methods for these cultivated species. For example, according to the inflorescence and results, farmers in Hainan Province divide areca into long pedicled species and short pedicled species. The yield, alkaloid species and content, medicinal value and bioecological characteristics of different areca species are quite different. One thing we should pay attention to is that we are addicted to areca when we eat too much. Let's introduce the function of areca to you.
Function of areca:
1. Insect repellent effect: arecoline is an effective insect repellent. It has a strong paralyzing effect on Taenia solium, paralyzing all parts of the whole worm, paralyzing only the head and immature segments of Taenia solium, but has little effect on the pregnant segments of the middle and rear segments. In vitro test also had paralytic effect on enterobiasis. Arecoline can also poison Ascaris and has no effect on hookworm. The mixture of areca and realgar, cinnamon and ferula can prevent the infection of Schistosoma in mice, but it has no effect on the treatment of schistosomiasis in mice with Hemerocallis fulva root, Coptis and Clematis.
2. Antifungal and viral effects: the aqueous extract can inhibit dermatophytes such as Trichophyton violaceus in different degrees in vitro. Decoctions and water extracts can inhibit some strains of influenza A virus, and the antiviral effect may be related to the tannin contained in them.
3. Effect on cholinergic receptor: arecoline has the same effect as pilocarpine. It can excite M-cholinergic receptor and increase gland secretion, especially saliva secretion. When eye drops, it can make pupil shrink. In addition, it can increase intestinal peristalsis, constrict bronchus and slow down heart rate. It can also cause vasodilation and decrease blood pressure, and cause coronary artery contraction after application in rabbits. 1% solution for glaucoma can reduce intraocular pressure, but the effect lasts for a short time, and has obvious irritation to the cornea. Due to the increase of free peristalsis, the paralyzed tapeworm is expelled. It can also excite n-cholinergic receptor, which is manifested in exciting skeletal muscle, ganglion and carotid body. It also has anticholinergic effect on the central nervous system. A small amount of arecoline injected intravenously in cats can cause cortical wake-up response, and atropine can reduce or block this effect.
4. Antimicrobial activity: it is reported that betel nut water extract can inhibit dermatophytes in varying degrees, such as chlamydospora Xulan and Trichophyton violaceum.
Betel nut water extract can inhibit dermatophytes such as chlamydospora schlegeli and Trichophyton violaceus to different degrees
5. Antihypertensive effect: areca Ⅱ - 5-c isolated from areca seeds has been reported to have significant inhibitory effect on ACE in vitro.
6. Anticancer effect: the polyphenol compounds obtained from areca have significant inhibitory effect on Ehrlich ascites cancer and moderate cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells.
7. Other effects: arecoline injected subcutaneously can inhibit the general activity of mice, but can improve the activity reduction and memory damage caused by chlorpromazine. It has been proved that areca nut contains carcinogenic substance to human. Usually, people who chew areca nut have taste loss, appetite increase, teeth are easy to shake, diarrhea is less, pharyngeal pain is less and can treat abdominal pain, which may be due to the large amount of tannin in it. In addition, areca caterers have less intestinal parasites and thirst, which may be related to arecoline.
The harm of areca nut: 1. It is not good for the teeth themselves: chewing areca nut for a long time will cause serious tooth wear.
2. Bad for periodontium: areca juice mixed with lime is easy to form calculus, which not only affects the appearance, but also affects periodontal health. Areca fiber is thick and hard, and may stab or block the gum, causing gingival compression and inflammation.
3. Bad for oral mucosa: light may cause mucosal lesions, heavy may develop into oral cancer.
4. Not good for TMJ: long term chewing will increase the load of TMJ, causing joint bounce, pain and other symptoms. In severe cases, it can also cause perforation of the articular disc.
5. Bad for digestive system: some components of areca nut will damage taste nerve and saliva secretion and affect digestive function. In addition, areca dregs also stimulate the gastric wall, which can cause inflammation and even perforation of gastric mucosa.