Brahmi rasayana Improves Learning and Memory in Mice

Cure of cognitive disorders such as amnesia, attention deficit and Alzheimer's disease is still a nightmare in the field of medicine. Nootropic agents such as piracetam, aniracetam and choline esterase inhibitors like Donepezil(®) are being used to improve memory, mood and behavior, but the resulting side effects associated with these agents have made their use limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of Brahmi rasayana (BR) as a memory enhancer. BR (100 and 200 mg kg(−1) p.o.) was administered for eight successive days to both young and aged mice. Elevated plus maze and passive-avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Scopolamine (0.4 mg kg(−1) i.p.) was used to induce amnesia in mice. The effect of BR on whole brain AChE activity was also assessed. Piracetam (200 mg kg(−1) i.p.) was used as a standard nootropic agent. BR significantly improved learning and memory in young mice and reversed the amnesia induced by both scopolamine (0.4 mg kg(−1) i.p.) and natural aging. BR significantly decreased whole brain acetyl cholinesterase activity. BR might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in elderly

COMPARISON STUDY OF VITAMIN-B12 FOR ITS EFFICACY AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF VARIOUS FORMULATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

VitaminB12 helps your body to use fat and carbohydrates for energy and makes new protein. It is also important for normal blood, cells, and nerves. Most people get enough vitaminB12 in their diet, but a deficiency may occur in certain health conditions (e. g., poor nutrition, stomach/intestinal problems, infection, cancer). Serious VitaminB12 deficiency results in anemia and nerve damage if left untreated. VitaminB12 deficiency usually treated by parenteral and oral dosage forms, but these routes of administration is associated with absorption and compliance issue. More recently, it has been demonstrated that the function of this missing intrinsic factor is to aid the absorption of Vitamin B12 and deficiency termed as pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia may be satisfactorily treated by parenteral administration of the extrinsic factor, Vitamin B12is only slightly absorbed when given by mouth to patients with pernicious anemia, but a hematological response may be obtained if relatively large doses are given by this route. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of appropriate vitamin B12formulation in the treatment of pernicious anemia.Â

Evaluation of pharmacotherapy in neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit of a south Indian tertiary care hospital: a prospective observational study

Background: Evaluating the pharmacotherapy is essential at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to identify and understand pattern and variability in drug use in polypharmacy, also to promote interventions that will improve patient outcomes.Methods: In our study, we audited pharmacotherapy of 300 neonates and 100 pediatric patients admitted to NICU and PICU from November 2018 to February 2019. WHO-CORE prescribing indicators, WHO-ATC system and WHO-ICD 10th version was used to evaluate pharmacotherapy and to understand the pattern and extent of medication use and to systematically classify drugs and diseases respectively.Results: A total of 1207 medications containing 34 unique active ingredients were prescribed for 300 neonates with an average of 4.02 (±2.0) drugs per neonate admitted to NICU and the most prescribed drugs were anti-infectives for systemic use 799. A total of 976 medications containing 69 unique active ingredients were prescribed with an average of 9.76 (±3.81) per pediatric patients admitted to PICU with anti-infectives for systemic use 331 tops the list. More than 75% of drugs was prescribed in generic name with 98% constant availability of key drugs at intensive care unit.Conclusions: This study substantiates the need for reinforcement of institutional antibiotic policies as antibiotics are widely prescribed and there is an increase trend of antibiotic resistance at critical care unit, assessment of WHO core prescribing indicators are reflective of quality care revealing the awareness about strict monitoring of pharmacotherapy

aluación de los efectos antiamnésicos de Phyllanthus amarus en ratones

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in memory. Phyllanhus amarus is commonly known as bhumi amla in India and is traditionally used since centuries in ayurveda medicine. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Phyllanhus amarus (PA) on cognitive functions and brain cholinesterase activity in mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) of aqueous extract of PA were administered for 8 successive days to both young and aged mice. PA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent improvement in memory scores of young and older mice. PA also reversed successfully the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Interestingly, brain acetyl cholinesterase activity was also reduced. The underlying mechanism of action for the observed nootropic effect may be attributed to pro-cholinergic activity exhibited by PA in the present study. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to explore the therapeutic potential of PA in the management of patients with cognitive disorders. La enfermedad de Alzheimer es un desorden neuro-degenerativo progresivo que se caracteriza por una disminución gradual de la memoria. El Phyllanhus amarus (PA), se conoce comúnmente como bhumi amla en la India, y tradicionalmente se ha usado durante siglos en la medicina ayurvédica con diversas indicaciones. Este estudio se hizo para investigar los efectos del PA en las funciones cognitivas y en la actividad de la colinesterasa cerebral. Se emplearon las pruebas de laberinto complejo y el paradigma de evitación pasiva a fin de evaluar los parámetros de memoria y aprendizaje. Se administraron tres dosis (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg vía oral) de extracto acuoso de PA durante 8 días sucesivos, tanto a ratones jóvenes como adultos. El PA (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg) produjo una mejoría que depende de la dosis en los puntajes de memoria en los ratones jóvenes y en los adultos. EL PA también revirtió con éxito la amnesia inducida por escopolamina (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) y diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Es de interés anotar que asimismo disminuyó la actividad de la acetil colinesterasa cerebral. El mecanismo de acción subyacente para el efecto nootrópico observado se puede atribuir a la actividad pro-colinesterasa demostrada en el presente estudio. Por tanto, se justificaría explorar el potencial terapéutico del PA en el manejo de pacientes con desórdenes cognitivos

Evaluation of nootropic potential of <i style="">Ocimum sanctum </i>Linn. in mice<i style=""></i>

133-136Dementia is one of the age related mental problems and a characteristic symptom of various neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Certain drugs like diazepam, barbiturates and alcohol disrupt learning and memory in animals and man. However, a new class of drugs known as nootropic agents is now used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities. The present work was undertaken to assess the potential of O. sanctum extract as a nootropic and anti-amnesic agent in mice. Aqueous extract of dried whole plant of O. sanctum ameliorated the amnesic effect of scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg), diazepam (1 mg/kg) and aging induced memory deficits in mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm served as the exteroceptive behavioral models. O. sanctum extract decreased transfer latency and increased step down latency, when compared to control (piracetam treated), scopolamine and aged groups of mice significantly. O. sanctum preparations could of beneficial in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Nootropic Activity of Calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn

Nootropic acitivity of calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. was studied in mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce amnesia in mice. The aqueous extracts of calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS-100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated amnestic deficits induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and natural aging. HS (100 and 200 mg/kg) decreased the transfer latencies and increased step down latencies significantly in the aged mice and scopolamine induced amnesic mice as compared with Piracetam (200 mg/kg, i.p.). To delineate the possible mechanism through which H. sabdariffa elicits the anti-amnesic effects, we studied its influence on central cholinergic activity by estimating the whole brain acetylcholinesterase activity. H. sabdariffa significantly decreased acetyl cholinesterase activity in mice. The results indicate that, the aqueous extract of calyces of H. sabdariffa might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in elderly. The underlying mechanism of action can be attributed to its anti acetylcholinesterase property

Zingiber officinale: evaulation of its Nootropic effect in mice

Dementia is one of the age-related mental problems, and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer\'s disease. Nootropic agents and cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil® are clinically used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities and for improving memory, mood and behavior, but the resulting side-effects associated with these agents have made their utility limited. Ayurveda emphasizes use of herbs, nutraceuticals or life-style changes for controlling age related neurodegenerative disorders. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of an ayurvedic rasayana (rejuvenator) drug Zingiber officinale Roscoe as a memory enhancer. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Z. officinale extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered for 8 successive days to both young and aged mice. The dose of 100 mg/kg of Z. officinale extract significantly improved learning and memory in young mice and also reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, it also reversed aging induced amnesia due to natural aging of mice. Z. officinale significantly increased whole brain acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity. Hence, Z. officinale might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the elderly. The underlying mechanism of its action may be attributed to its antioxidant and acetyl cholinesterase inhibition property. Keywords: Zingiber officinale, amnesia, learning, memoryAfrican Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(1) 2006: 64-7

Evaluación de los efectos antiamnésicos de Phyllanthus amarus en ratones

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in memory. Phyllanhus amarus is commonly known as bhumi amla in India and is traditionally used since centuries in ayurveda medicine. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Phyllanhus amarus (PA) on cognitive functions and brain cholinesterase activity in mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) of aqueous extract of PA were administered for 8 successive days to both young and aged mice. PA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent improvement in memory scores of young and older mice. PA also reversed successfully the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Interestingly, brain acetyl cholinesterase activity was also reduced. The underlying mechanism of action for the observed nootropic effect may be attributed to pro-cholinergic activity exhibited by PA in the present study. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to explore the therapeutic potential of PA in the management of patients with cognitive disorders.La enfermedad de Alzheimer es un desorden neuro-degenerativo progresivo que se caracteriza por una disminución gradual de la memoria. El Phyllanhus amarus (PA), se conoce comúnmente como bhumi amla en la India, y tradicionalmente se ha usado durante siglos en la medicina ayurvédica con diversas indicaciones. Este estudio se hizo para investigar los efectos del PA en las funciones cognitivas y en la actividad de la colinesterasa cerebral. Se emplearon las pruebas de laberinto complejo y el paradigma de evitación pasiva a fin de evaluar los parámetros de memoria y aprendizaje. Se administraron tres dosis (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg vía oral) de extracto acuoso de PA durante 8 días sucesivos, tanto a ratones jóvenes como adultos. El PA (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg) produjo una mejoría que depende de la dosis en los puntajes de memoria en los ratones jóvenes y en los adultos. EL PA también revirtió con éxito la amnesia inducida por escopolamina (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) y diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Es de interés anotar que asimismo disminuyó la actividad de la acetil colinesterasa cerebral. El mecanismo de acción subyacente para el efecto nootrópico observado se puede atribuir a la actividad pro-colinesterasa demostrada en el presente estudio. Por tanto, se justificaría explorar el potencial terapéutico del PA en el manejo de pacientes con desórdenes cognitivos