The dichloromethane fraction from Areca catechu was found to inhibit monoamine oxidase type A isolated from the rat brain with an IC50 of 665 +/- 65.1 microg/ml. Studies with pharmacological models of depression, i.e., forced swim and tail-suspension tests, indicated that it caused significant
Betel nut is the fruit of Areca palm, growing in Papua New Guinea. Mixed with limestone and stick mustard, arecoline and guvacoline, which are present in betel nut, are hydrolyzed into arecaidine and guvacine, respectively. As part of the study on dietary habits of Papuans residents, our laboratory