Effects of Memorhis, a Poly Herbal Formulation in the Management Memory Dysfunctions

Cure of cognitive disorders such as amnesia, attention deficit and Alzheimer's disease is still a nightmare in the field of medicine. Nootropic agents such as piracetam, aniracetam and cholinesterase 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 Pundi Rasayana (PR) as a memory enhancer. MEMORHIS is a poly-herbal formulation comprising of the herbal ingredients and pharmaceutical adjuvants. The plant extracts used for formulating this preparation were selected since they had exhibited very promising cognition improving effects in mice. The suspension was prepared using plant extracts of N. jatamansi, O. sanctum, A. racemosus, P. nigrum, M. elengi, P. niruri, G. glabra. Other ingredients of the preparations were ascorbic acid, cardamom oil, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, propylene glycol and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose.

The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of an MEMORHIS as a memory enhancer. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. MEMORHIS (50, 100 and 250 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered for 8 successive days to both young and aged mice. MEMORHIS (100 and 250 mg/kg, p.o.) 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. MEMORHIS profoundly increased whole brain acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity. Hence, MEMORHIS 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.