A Traditional Approach to Herbal Nootropic Agents: an Overview

Nootropic drugs used as a memory enhancer can improve thinking, memory, and alertness in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other disease that affect the mind. Memory is perhaps the most vital of all aspects that differentiates human beings from other animals. However, memory can become faulty due to several reasons, and in that case the person is not able to make full use of his or her potentials. Since ages, drugs and natural remedies have been prescribed to enhance memories in people. 4 million people are thought to be suffering from age related memory and increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Although several nootropic drugs are available to treat memory problems. In recent years research on medicinal plants have been studied for nootropic activity. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), Evolvulus alsinoides (Shankhpushpi), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Acorus calamus (Bach) etc., are used as a memory enhancer drugs. The abstract refers to several plants with their activity. The main aim of this article is to give up the data reviews on plants with nootropic properties. INTRODUCTION: Nootropics also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, and cognitive enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that are purported to improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth. Memory is the ability of an individual to record sensory stimuli, events, information, etc., retain them over short or long periods of time and recall the same at a later date when needed. Poor Memory, lower retention and slow recall and are common problems in today’s stressful and competitive world. Age, stress, emotions are conditions that may led to memory loss, amnesia, anxiety, high blood pressure, dementia, to more ominous threat like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s diseases. MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH NOOTROPICS ACTIVITY AND THEIR BENEFICIAL PROPERTIES: Plant Name Ayurvedic /Common Name Nootropic and other beneficial effect In traditional medicine Reference(s) Bacopa monnieri Brahmi Improve Memory 01 Acorus calamus Bach Improve Memory Functions 02 Withania somnifera Ashwagandha Improve Memory Functions 03 Evolvulus alsinoides Shankhpushpi Improve Memory Functions 04 Embelica officinalis Amla Improve Memory 05 Centella asiatica Mandookaparni Improve Memory Functions 06 Prunus amygdalus Badam Nerve Tonics 07