Memory plays an important role in day-to-day human life but todays stressful
life has generated many of physic-mental disorders, cognitive dysfunction and memory loss are one
of them. Herbs from the Traditional system of Indian medicine, Ayurveda, are being used for
memory disorders since ages. Modern medical science, though working hard for novel drug
discovery for memory associated disorders but drugs available currently are vulnerable due to their
many side effects in disguise. In present scenario traditional Indian system of medicine keeps ray
of hope live as Ayurvedic herbs have shown the favorable effect on memory dysfunction. Fifteen
Plants mentioned in Ayurveda reviewed on seven prominent activities such as Antioxidant activity,
Acetylcholine esterase inhibition, NMDA antagonism, Dopaminergic activity, Anti-amyloidogenic
activity, Inhibition of Tau aggregation and Neuroprotection. These properties are found to be
effective for the management of memory loss. Most of the plants reviewed here found to have
antioxidant property i.e. effective in dealing with oxidative stress induced memory dysfunction.
Withania somnifera, Acorus calamus and Curcuma longa excelled since confirmed six out of seven
activities. This review article is based on preclinical Pharmacological studies.
Key words: Ayurveda; Memory; Dementia; Antioxidant.
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