Exploring Bhavana samskara using Tinospora cordifolia and Phyllanthus emblica combination for learning and memory in mice.
Date
2015-10
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Abstract
Background: Current medications for dementia and enhancement of learning and memory are limited hence we need to
explore traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda to investigate agents that can improve learning and enhance memory.
Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate effects and mechanisms of Ayurveda drug formulations,
Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) and Phyllanthus emblica (Pe) with and without Bhavana samskara on learning and memory of
mice. Materials and Methods: After approval of Animal Ethics Committee, Swiss albino mice were divided into seven groups,
administered orally: Distilled water, Rivastigmine (2.4 mg/kg), Tc (100 mg/kg), Pe (300 mg/kg), formulation 1 (Tc + Pe:
400 mg/kg) and formulation 2 (Tc + Pe + Ocimum sanctum: 400 mg/kg) daily for 15 days. Piracetam (200 mg/kg) was
injected daily intraperitoneally for 8 days. The mice underwent a learning session using elevated plus maze. Memory was
tested 24 hours later. Results: Mice pretreated with all the drugs showed a trend toward reducing transfer latencies but
values were comparable to vehicle control. In all drug‑treated groups, a significant reduction in transfer latency was
observed after 24 h. Improvement in learning and memory by both formulations were comparable to individual plant drugs,
Tc and Pe. Conclusion: The plant drugs showed improvements in learning and memory. The fixed‑dose formulations with
Bhavana samskara, showed encouraging results as compared to individual agents but the difference was not statistically
significant. Hence, the concept of Bhavana samskara could not be explored in the present study. However, these drugs
showed comparable or better effects than the modern medicinal agents thus, their therapeutic potential as nootropics
needs to be explored further.
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Keywords
Cognition, dementia, nootropic, Ocimum sanctum, Rasayana
Citation
Malve Harshad Onkarrao. Exploring Bhavana samskara using Tinospora cordifolia and Phyllanthus emblica combination for learning and memory in mice. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2015 Oct-Dec; 6(4): 233-240.