Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer’s Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Assessment

Abstract

Cognitive impairment, associated with ageing, stress, hypertension and various neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, is a major health issue. The present review focuses on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), since it is the most important cause of cognitive impairment. It is characterized by progressive memory loss, language deficits, depression, agitation, mood disturbances and psychosis. Although the hallmarks of AD are cholinergic dysfunction, β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangle formation, it is also associated with derangement of other neurotransmitters, elevated levels of advanced glycation end products, oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, genetic and environmental factors. On one hand, this complex etiopathology makes a response to commonly used drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine less predictable and often unsatisfactory. On the other hand, it supports the use of herbal medicines due to their nonspecific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and specific cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The popularity of herbal medicines is also increasing due to their perceived effectiveness, safety and affordability. In the present article, the experimental and clinical evidence have been reviewed for various Indian herbal medicines such as Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Curcuma longa, Clitoria ternatea, Withania somnifera, Celastrus paniculatus, Evolvulus alsinoides, Desmodium gangeticum, Eclipta alba, Moringa oleifera and Convolvulus pluricaulis, which have shown potential in cognitive impairment. Some commonly available herbal formulations for memory impairment in India have also been reviewed.

Neuroprotective Herbs for the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…This medicinal plant is used to strengthen the brain, heal skin issues, and promote liver and kidney health. Gk is considered a rejuvenating herb for nerve and brain cells as it is believed to promote intelligence and improve memory [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. In vitro studies using various Gk plant derivatives (asiaticosides, asiatic acid, madecassoside, and madasiatic acid) showed that these compounds were capable of blocking H 2 O 2 -induced cell death, decreasing free radical concentration, and inhibiting β-amyloid cell death, suggesting a potential role for Gk in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease [ 55 , 58 , 121 , 122 ].…”

In Vivo Neuropharmacological Potential of Gomphandra tetrandra (Wall.) Sleumer and In-Silico Study against β-Amyloid Precursor Protein

“…Additionally, previous studies have reported the traditional use of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Clitoria ternatea L., Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy, Curcuma longa L., Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Evolvulus alsinoides L., Ginkgo biloba L.,Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Melissa officinalis L., Moringa oleifera Lam., Salvia officinalis L., Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb)Miers, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal etc. in Alzheimer's disease [8][9][10].…”

In vivo Neuropharmacological Potential of <em>Gomphandra tetrandra</em> (Wall.) Sleumer and in-silico Study against β-Amyloid Precursor Protein

“…Additionally, previous studies have reported the traditional use of Bacopa monnieri, Celastrus paniculatus, Centella asiatica, Clitoria ternatea, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Curcuma longa, Desmodium gangeticum, Evolvulus alsinoides, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Melissa officinalis, Moringa oleifera, Salvia officinalis, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera etc. in Alzheimer's disease [8][9][10].…”