Positive Health Online

Abstract

HOWES and HOUGHTON, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Jodrell Laboratory, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK, have reviewed (250 references) the plants used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for the improvement of memory and cognitive function. Abstract: In traditional practice of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, numerous plants have been used to treat cognitive disorders including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In recent years, the interest in these plants has grown considerably as it has been recognized by pharmaceutical companies that plants are a potentially rich source of new drugs. Indeed many drugs currently available in Western medicine were originally isolated from plants, including some anticholinesterase alkaloids that are now in clinical use for the treatment of Alzheimer's. Galantamine, isolated from several plants including Lycoris radiata (a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine) is licensed in the UK for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Various other plant species have shown pharmacological activities relevant to the treatment of cognitive disorders. The article discusses some plants and their active principles that have been used in traditional medicine. Plants that may be relevant for the treatment of cognitive disorders including enhancement of cholinergic function in the Central Nervous System, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities are discussed.

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References

Howes MJR, Houghton P. Plants used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for improvement of memory and cognitive function. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 75 (3): 513-527, Jun 2003.

Comment

Any progress in the treatment and management of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's would be hugely welcomed.