PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Herbal medicine for the mind: Traditionally used medicinal plants for memory loss from the Indian subcontinent

2025-05-27
(Press-News.org)

Burden of Memory Disorders and the Role of Traditional Medicine

The growing global population of elderly individuals has led to a dramatic rise in chronic diseases, including neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions, which are expected to affect over 150 million people worldwide by 2050, are marked by memory loss, impaired judgment, and cognitive decline. While pharmacological interventions exist, their limitations in accessibility, affordability, and side effect profiles have prompted the exploration of holistic approaches. This review emphasizes traditional herbal medicines, which have long been used in South Asia and are gaining popularity worldwide as potential alternatives.

 

Identification of Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants

A two-phase approach was used to investigate memory-enhancing herbal medicines:

Textual Survey: South Asian medicinal plant books were reviewed, identifying 13 herbs traditionally used for memory loss. These included Acorus calamus, Celastrus paniculatus, Withania somnifera, and Zingiber officinale, among others. Scientific Literature Review: Using databases like PubMed and Google Scholar, the authors searched for experimental evidence supporting these plants’ memory-enhancing properties.

 

Mechanisms of Action

Several key mechanisms were identified through which these plants may exert beneficial effects on memory:

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibition: Many plants demonstrated the ability to inhibit AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), enzymes that break down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory. This mirrors the mechanism of approved AD drugs like donepezil and galantamine. NMDA Receptor Antagonism: Some herbs, such as Celastrus paniculatus and Zingiber officinale, showed potential in modulating NMDA receptors, similar to the action of memantine, another FDA-approved AD drug. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation exacerbate neurodegeneration. Many of the plants reviewed showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could protect neurons and reduce the progression of AD. Multitargeted Actions: Notably, several plants—like Acorus calamus, Withania somnifera, and Salvia officinalis—exhibited a combination of the above mechanisms, increasing their potential as effective therapeutic agents.

 

Evidence from Human Clinical Trials

While much of the evidence comes from preclinical (in vitro and animal) models, three plants have been evaluated in human trials:

Panax ginseng: A 12-week clinical trial showed improved memory and cognitive function in older adults using a standardized ginseng extract (ThinkGIN™), with no major side effects. Salvia officinalis (Sage): Multiple randomized, double-blind trials demonstrated improvements in cognitive function, working memory, and attention. The benefits are attributed to terpenoids and ChE inhibition. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): Clinical studies reported improvements in attention, executive function, sleep quality, and psychological well-being, with no significant adverse effects.

 

Limitations and Future Directions

This review, while comprehensive, acknowledges certain limitations:

The list of plants is based solely on a limited number of regional texts. No field surveys with traditional healers or patients were conducted. The review focused on South Asia; a global investigation could reveal additional plants with memory-enhancing properties. Medicinal chemistry analyses were limited, which could enhance understanding of active compounds.

The authors advocate for future work including ethnobotanical surveys, broader regional studies, and detailed chemical analyses to support drug discovery.

 

Conclusion

This review highlights the promise of traditional South Asian medicinal plants in addressing memory loss and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease. The identified plants not only reflect cultural wisdom but are increasingly supported by modern scientific evidence. Their diverse mechanisms—especially when acting in synergy—offer a rich reservoir for developing new, effective, and affordable treatments. Integrating this knowledge with modern medicine could pave the way for a more holistic, patient-centered approach to managing cognitive health.

 

Full text:

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00050

 

The study was recently published in the Future Integrative Medicine.

Future Integrative Medicine (FIM) is the official scientific journal of the Capital Medical University.FIM publishes both basic and clinical research, including but not limited to randomized controlled trials, intervention studies, cohort studies, observational studies, qualitative and mixed method studies, animal studies, and systematic reviews.

 

Follow us on X: @xiahepublishing

Follow us on LinkedIn:  Xia & He Publishing Inc.

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Study finds significant declines in maternal mental health across US

2025-05-27
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a concerning decline in self-reported mental health among mothers in the United States between 2016 and 2023. Conducted by researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the study also found modest but measurable declines in self-reported physical health during the same period. This large-scale analysis examined data from 198,417 mothers who participated in the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative annual survey of households with children aged 0–17. Most participating mothers were over age 30, and over half had a privately ...

Characterizing long COVID symptoms during early childhood

2025-05-27
About The Study: This cohort study identified symptom patterns and derived research indices that were distinct between the 2 age groups (infants/toddlers [0-2 years] vs preschool-aged children [3-5 years]) and differed from those previously identified in older ages, demonstrating the need to characterize long COVID separately across age ranges.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Rachel S. Gross, MD, MS, email rachel.gross@nyulangone.org. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.1066) Editor’s ...

Weight loss in midlife, chronic disease incidence, and all-cause mortality during extended follow-up

2025-05-27
About The Study: In this study, conducted when surgical and pharmacological weight-loss interventions were nearly nonexistent, sustained midlife weight loss compared with persistent overweight was associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases beyond type 2 diabetes and decreased all-cause mortality. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Timo E. Strandberg, MD, PhD, email timo.strandberg@helsinki.fi. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11825) Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, ...

Patient-delivered continuous care for weight loss maintenance

2025-05-27
About The Study: In this trial, patient-delivered lifestyle intervention (mentor interventionists plus peer support) yielded significantly better weight loss maintenance and cardiovascular risk outcomes compared with standard-of-care treatment delivered by professionals. Future research may examine the effectiveness of this novel treatment approach in community and clinical settings.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Tricia M. Leahey, PhD, email tricia.leahey@uconn.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.1345) Editor’s ...

HIV drug can improve vision in patients with common diabetes complication, clinical trial suggests

2025-05-27
An inexpensive, long-approved HIV drug can improve vision in patients with a blinding complication of diabetes more effectively and a much lower cost than many existing treatments, an initial clinical trial suggests. Further, the drug is taken orally, potentially offering patients an alternative to monthly injections directly into their eyes. The drug, lamivudine, could represent an important new option for millions of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), a condition which causes fluid to build up in the retina of the eye. ...

New fuel cell could enable electric aviation

2025-05-27
Batteries are nearing their limits in terms of how much power they can store for a given weight. That’s a serious obstacle for energy innovation and the search for new ways to power airplanes, trains, and ships. Now, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have come up with a solution that could help electrify these transportation systems. Instead of a battery, the new concept is a kind of fuel cell — which is similar to a battery but can be quickly refueled rather than recharged. In this case, the fuel is liquid sodium metal, an inexpensive and widely available commodity. The other side of the cell is just ordinary air, which serves as ...

New clinical practice guideline for the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis in adults

2025-05-27
ALEXANDRIA, VA —The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the new Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis today in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects 11.6% of adults and prompts 4.1 million annual ambulatory visits. "Chronic rhinosinusitis doesn't just affect the nose—it can influence a person's general life. Patients can struggle with poor sleep, ...

Newly discovered ‘molecular fingerprints’ could transform diabetes treatment and diagnosis

2025-05-27
Scientists have unearthed surprising details about how our bodies handle insulin – the hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and developing diabetes. The discovery could lead to better treatment of type 2 diabetes and earlier diagnosis, potentially even before the disease develops. In a new paper in the scientific journal Cell, researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that all individuals have unique and varying degrees of insulin resistance at the molecular level. The discovery of this ‘molecular fingerprint’ for insulin sensitivity challenges the traditional binary classification ...

MicroRNA-124-3p and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rat spinal cord injury: Inverse expression pattern

2025-05-27
Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts the central nervous system, with limited effective treatments available. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neuronal growth, survival, and regeneration after SCI. MicroRNAs, particularly miR-124-3p, have been implicated in SCI pathophysiology. However, the relationship between miR-124-3p and BDNF in the context of SCI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between miR-124-3p expression and BDNF levels in a rat model of spinal cord injury and to assess how the timing of injury affects this relationship. Methods This study included 72 male Wistar rats divided ...

Oldest whale bone tools discovered

2025-05-27
Humans were making tools from whale bones as far back as 20,000 years ago, according to a study conducted by scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and the University of British Columbia. This discovery broadens our understanding of early human use of whale remains and offers valuable insight into the marine ecology of the time.  Whales, the largest animals on Earth, were an important ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Research unearths origins of Ancient Egypt’s Karnak Temple

Reevaluating nonoperative management for pediatric uncomplicated acute appendicitis

Metabolically active visceral fat linked to aggressive endometrial cancer, new study reveals

Scientists glimpse how enzymes “dance” while they work, and why that’s important

California partnership aided COVID-19 response and health equity, report finds

University of Oklahoma secures $19.9 million for revolutionary radar technology

Study finds restoring order to dividing cancer cells may prevent metastasis

High-accuracy tumor detection with label-free microscopy and neural networks

Wayne State research reveals fetuses exposed to Zika virus have long-term immune challenges

Researchers deconstruct chikungunya outbreaks to improve prediction and vaccine development

Study finds one-year change on CT scans linked to future outcomes in fibrotic lung disease

Discovery of a novel intracellular trafficking pathway in plant cells

New tool helps forecast volcano slope collapses and tsunamis

Molecular coating cleans up noisy quantum light

From Parkinson's to rare diseases, discovered a key switch for cellular health

Tiny sugars in the brain disrupt emotional circuits, fueling depression

Mini-organs reveal how the cervix defends itself

Africa, climate, and food: How to feed a continent without increasing its carbon footprint

Researchers demonstrates substrate design principles for scalable superconducting quantum materials

How better software choices could cut US health care costs

Concussion history in NCAA athletes yields mixed health outcomes

Counting plastic reveals hidden waste and sparks action

Warming oceans may pose a serious threat to American lobsters

Deaths from drug-induced unintentional injury rise across the US

In car crashes with pedestrians, age and zip code may predict extent of traumatic injuries

AI optimizes evacuation, diagnosis, and treatment of wounded soldiers in Ukraine

Mastectomy linked to worsened sexual health, body image after surgery

Drop in credit score after cancer diagnosis linked to increased mortality, study shows

Use of weight loss drugs before bariatric surgery has soared in recent years, study finds

EMS call times in rural areas take at least 20 minutes longer than national average

[Press-News.org] Herbal medicine for the mind: Traditionally used medicinal plants for memory loss from the Indian subcontinent