ZINGIBER OFFICINALE: EVAULATION OF ITS NOOTROPIC EFFECT IN MICE

Apply

ZINGIBER OFFICINALE: EVAULATION OF ITS NOOTROPIC EFFECT IN MICE

Journal Title: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines - Year 2006, Vol 3, Issue 1

Abstract

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.

Authors and Affiliations

Hanumanthachar Joshi, Milind Parle

Keywords

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICE AMONGST THE IGEDE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA. PART II

A questionnaire-guided ethno-medical survey of the Igede speaking communities of Benue state (Nigeria) was conducted. 90 plant species from 45 families were identified covering 109 recipes against 35 ailments, including...

Vascular permeability- increasing effect of the leaf essential oil of <i>ocimum gratissimum</i> linn as a mechanism for its wound healing property

Persistent microvascular hyperpermeability to plasma proteins is a characteristic feature of normal wound healing. Does the leaf essential oil of [i]Ocimum gratissimum[/i] heal wounds by promoting this feature? Evan’s bl...

EP ID EP96457
DOI -
Views 131
Downloads 0