Antiamnesic activity of an ayurvedic formulation chyawanprash in mice

Abstract

Chyawanprash (Chy) is an ayurvedic formulation commonly consumed in Indian households. Chy is a comprehensive herbal tonic, prepared from around 50 herbs employing anwala (Emblica officinalis) as the basic ingredient. The present study was undertaken to explore the beneficial effects of Chy (at the dose of 1 and 2% w/w of diet) administered daily for 15 successive days in mice with memory deficits. A total of 228 mice divided in 38 groups were employed in this study. Morris water maze, Hebb-Williams maze and elevated plus maze served as exteroceptive memory models, whereas scopolamine (Sco)-induced amnesia and alprazolam (Alp)-induced amnesia served as interoceptive memory models. The brain acetylcholinesterase activity, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione levels (GSH) were also estimated. The administration of Chy for 15 consecutive days significantly protected the animals from developing memory impairment. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in brain TBARS and increase in GSH levels after administration of Chy (2% w/w), thereby indicating decreased free radical generation and increased scavenging of free radical, respectively. Thus, Chy may prove to be a useful remedy for the management of Alzheimer's disease owing to its antioxidant effect, pro-cholinergic action and/or antiamnesic potential.

Figure 1

Effect of Chy administered for 15 successive days on time taken by mice to reach reward chamber (TRC) using HWM. Piracetam (Pira) (400 mg kg⁻¹; i.p.) is used as a standard drug. Values are mean ± SEM; ^a P < .05 as compared to control group; ^b P < .05 as compared with Sco group; ^c P < .05 as compared with Alp group.

Figure 2

Effect of Chy administered for 15 successive days on TL of mice using EPM. Piracetam (Pira) (400 mg kg⁻¹; i.p.) is used as a standard drug. Values are mean ± SEM; ^a P < .05 as compared to control group; ^b P < .05 as compared with Sco group; ^c P < .05 as compared with Alp group.

Figure 3

Effect of Chy administered for 15 successive days on brain AChE activity. Donep (0.1 mg kg⁻¹; i.p.) is used as a standard drug. Values are mean ± SEM; ^a P < .05 as compared to control group; ^b P < .05 as compared with Sco group.

Figure 4

Effect of Chy administered for 15 successive days on brain TBARS. Donep (0.1 mg kg⁻¹; i.p.) is used as a standard drug. Values are mean ± SEM; ^a P < .05 as compared to control group; ^b P < .05 as compared with Sco group.

Figure 5

Effect of Chy administered for 15 successive days on brain GSH level. Donep (0.1 mg kg⁻¹; i.p.) is used as a standard drug. Values are mean ± SEM; ^a P < .05 as compared to control group; ^b P < .05 as compared with Sco group.

Figure 6

Schematic diagram illustrating the beneficial effect of Chy on memory.