Hanumanthachar Joshi

Brahmi rasayana Improves Learning and Memory in Mice

Cure of cognitive disorders such as amnesia, attention deficit and Alzheimers 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.

Management of dementia through ayurvedic formulation brahmi rasayana BR-2T in mice

residences of 44 older adults living alone were each assessed once, using the new Cougar home safety assessment version 2.0. Conclusions: In the f irst study, the assessment findings of the 3 researchers were analyzed via PRAM software to determine the inter-rater reliability of the Cougar version 1.0. Percent agreement between the 3 raters was found to be 90%. The Cohen’s Kappa reliability coefficient was .506. Assessment of the 44 residences in the second study revealed a number of problems in environmental safety. These included the absence of carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. There were also problems in the safety of throw rugs, the installation of grab bars, the existence of non-slip surfaces in and outside of bathtubs, the existence of emergency number listings by phones, excessively high water temperature, and clutter in walkways. Findings indicate a need for community education aimed at reducing environmental safety hazards in the homes of older persons living in private residences. Additional research is needed to determine how to best conduct these safety programs.