Abstract

A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SARASWATA AND GUDUCHYADI CHURNA FOR ITS NOOTROPIC ACTIVITY

Dr. Ashwini*, Dr. Seema M. B. and Dr. Surekha S. Medikeri

ABSTRACT

In the present era, individuals are overloaded with stress, tension, anxiety and lack of sleep, which adversely affect the memory of most individuals. Memory is the faculty by which the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. Cognitive deficits that present with many of neuropsychiatric conditions and/or alone as developmental deficit demand use of nootropics to boost cognitive abilities. Recently there is a tremendous urge to explore medicinal plants globally for improving cognitive function owing to their less adverse effects. Nootropics (smart drugs and cognitive enhancers) are drugs, supplements and other substances that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivations, in healthy individuals. Medhya rasayana comprises a major category of nootropic herbs that are indicated for all mental disorders. Medha means intellect and/or retention and rasayana means which promotes dhirgayu (longevity), smruti (reminiscence), medha (intelligence), arogya (health), prabhava, varna (colour), strength of body and sensory organs (deha-indriyabala) etc. These drugs enhance the memory (buddhi), and improves the functions of manas. Daily use of Medhya rasayana is not only good for memory but also good for promotion of mental health. Hence to evaluate the medhya property (nootropic activity) in school going children, a comparative study on Saraswata churna in group A and Guduchyadi churna in group B was carried out respectively, with the help of PGI and PBCL scale. Group B shows good result when compared to group A.

Keywords: Guduchyadi, Medhya, Nootropics, PGI&PBCL scale, Saraswatachurna.