Recent advances in the field of pharmacognosy

and phytochemistry with special reference to

memory enhancers
Submitted by:-
Sweaty Salone
M.Pharm 1st sem ( pharmacognosy and
phytochemistry)
Jamia Hamdard
 Memory
• Memory is natural complex phenomenon which
is controlled by the central nervous system.
• It is the ability to think logically.
• It is the ability to learn.
• It is the ability to restore and retrieve the
information.
Types of memory
Parts of brain responsible for memory
Memory enhancing drugs
Nootropics also called smart drugs, memory
enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers,
and intelligence enhancers—are drugs, supplements,
nutraceuticals, and functional foods that improve
one or more aspects of mental function. Specific
effects can include improvements to working
memory, motivation, or attention. 
Uses of memory enhancing drug
• They give you a huge boost to stay ahead in the
competitive race.
• Most memory enhancement drugs are used for the
treatment of disease like Alzheimer’s ADHD.
• It has also been proven to significantly improve the
ability to stay awake in patients suffering from sleeping
disorder like narcolepsy (Provigil - modafinil).
• The use of medical stimulants to sustain attention,
augment memory and enhance intellectual capacity is
increasing in society .
Mechanism of action
• The billions of neurons in our brains
communicate with each other by sending
chemical messages across tiny gaps called
synapses. Information is stored in our brains
when a synapse is strengthened and detecting
these messages becomes easier, a process known
as synaptic plasticity. Drugs that directly
manipulate this process could improve cognitive
functions such as learning and memory. 
 In Vivo animal studies of
memory enhancing drug
• The molecule studied, called FGLoop (FGL), is a
fragment of a protein known as neural cell adhesion
molecule (NCAM). In the brain, NCAM is important in
the formation and development of synapses. One of its
roles is to bind to cell surface proteins called fibroblast
growth factor receptors (FGFRs). These normally
activate cell signalling pathways that control growth and
development, and NCAM alters their activity, thereby
affecting the pathways that they control. FGL mimics the
action of NCAM in binding to FGFRs. When injected into
rats, FGL can get into their brains and enhance their
memories, but until now, nobody knew exactly how.
• In order to work out the mechanism of FGL’s memory
enhancement, the research team isolated slices of living rat
brain tissue. They treated these with FGL to see its effects
on the inner workings of cells. They looked specifically at
the hippocampus, a region of the brain known to be
involved in learning and memory.
• They found that in binding to FGFRs, FGL activated some
of the cell signalling pathways that these receptors control.
This resulted in enhanced strengthening of synaptic
connections through a specific molecular mechanism
known to be important in learning, memory and synaptic
plasticity.
 DRUGS USED
a) Adderall and Ritalin - They have been found helpful for the
inattentiveness, trouble focusing on specific tasks, poor memory
retention.

b) Provigil- Provigil is a stimulant used to promote wakefulness in

people with narcolepsy or shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). It
has been used by U.S. soldiers in combat and at the
International Space Station. It has been tried experimentally for
Alzheimer’s, jet lag, ADHD, and chronic fatigue. Provigil is the
most popular brand name for the generic drug Modafinil.
Modafinil controls the amount of natural substances in the
brain, responsible for sleep and wakefulness.
a) Piracetam- Piracetam has been used for a variety of
conditions including Alzheimer’s and autism.
b) Methylphenidate- It acts by developing the
reuptake of the neurotransmitters nor- adrenaline
and dopamine, which prolongs their biochemical
affects in the central neuron system. This has been
shown the result in an increase in attention and a
decrease in restlessness in children and adults
diagnosed with ADHD.
Habituation of exploratory activity in mice:
a screening test for memory enhancing drug

• Animals: Adult male mice is used. The animal

is housed in temperature controlled room ( 20-
25 degree Celsius ). Food and water were freely
available and a 12 h light/dark cycle was in
effect. The mice should be weighed 22-32 g at
time of test.
• Apparatus: A standard photo-activity meter is
used. It consist of 6 cages and covered with lid
• General procedure: For Testing, each group
was divided into two half group containing 5 or 6
animals. All animals within each half-group were
tested at the same time.
• An acquisition session consisted of placing the
animal into the activity cages, one to a cage, and
scoring the photocell beam interruptions over a
5 min period.
 Drugs: The following drugs were investigated
amphetamine sulphate, bromocriptine methane
sulphonate, chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride,
chlorpromazine hydrochloride, meclofenoxate
hydrochloride etc.
Result: mice were given two session in a simple photo
cell activity cage and the decrease in activity at the
second session served as an index of retention.
Retention was facilitated or impaired by post-session
IP injection of several drugs known to improve or
impair memory in other animal model.
Reference: psychopharmacology springer-verlage 1982 78: 346-352
Herbal drugs used
• Brahmi ( baccopa monnieri)
• Ginseng
• Ginkgo biloba
• Vacha ( acorus calamus)
• Mandukaparni (centella asiatica)
• Ashwagandha (withania somifera)
Brahmi
Chemical constituents
• Brahmi comprises of two main chemical
constituents as active molecules namely:
• Bacoside A – Helps In healthy circulation of
blood.
• Bacoside B – Helps to improve learning
capability, enhances grasping power and boosts
retaining capacity.
Clinical test for Brahmi
• A study is reported on the effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) on
human memory. Seventy-six adults aged between 40 and 65 years
took part in a double-blind randomized, placebo control study in
which various memory functions were tested and levels of anxiety
measured. There were three testing sessions: one prior to the trial, one
after three months on the trial, and one six weeks after the completion
of the trial. The results show a significant effect of the Brahmi on a test
for the retention of new information. Follow-up tests showed that the
rate of learning was unaffected, suggesting that Brahmi decreases the
rate of forgetting of newly acquired information. Tasks assessing
attention, verbal and visual short-term memory and the retrieval of
pre-experimental knowledge were unaffected. Questionnaire measures
of everyday memory function and anxiety levels were also unaffected.
Uses Of Brahmi
• Brahmi has been found to be very beneficial in
the treatment of anxiety and mental fatigue.
• It has been found to significant improve IQ
levels, general ability, behavioral patterns and
mental concentration in children.
• It also improves learning capacity.
• It is useful for improving mental clarity,
confidence and memory recall.
• It is also used for the treatment of insomnia.
Ginseng
Chemical constituents
• Ginsenosides are the main chemical constituent
of ginseng which is helpful in the memory
enhancing property of ginseng and in the
treatment of CNS disorders and
neurodegenerative diseases.
• Two type of ginsenoside which are present in
ginseng are protopanaxadiols and
protopanaxatriols.
Clinical test for ginseng
• There is an extensive scientific literature of both animal
and human studies on ginseng. A review published in
2003 examined numerous such studies, whose
cumulative record is impressive.1 One study discussed in
the paper was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled crossover trial in which researchers tested
ginseng’s effects on the subjects’ ability to perform
various mental tasks, using the Cognitive Drug Research
(CDR) computerized assessment battery.
• During the study in question, 20 subjects took a
baseline CDR test and then took the
supplement—200, 400, or 600 mg of a
standardized ginseng extract or placebo. They
were then retested several more times over a 6-
hour period. Compared with placebo, all three
doses of ginseng improved the subjects’
secondary memory factor, which was comprised
of percentage accuracy scores from four
memory tasks. Interestingly, the400-mg dose,
not the 600-mg dose, produced the best results.
Uses of Ginseng
• Increasing a sense of well-being and
stamina, and improving both mental and
physical performance.
• Side effects: headache, edema, diarrhea,
dizziness, nervous excitation, nausea and
vomiting etc.
Ginkgo biloba
Chemical Constituents
•  flavonol and flavone glycosides
• Ginkgolides
•  bilobalide
• ginkgolides and bilobalides
• 6-hydroxykinuretic  acid
• protocatechuic acid
• shikimic acid
Clinical test for Ginkgo Biloba
• Several studies have found that ginkgo may work
as well as some prescription Alzheimer disease
medications to delay the symptoms of dementia.
It has not been tested against all of the drugs
prescribed to treat Alzheimer disease.
• In 2008, a well-designed study with more than
3,000 elderly people found that ginkgo was no
better than placebo in preventing dementia or
Alzheimer disease.
Uses of Ginkgo biloba
• There is some evidence indicating that people
with dementia can benefit from taking ginkgo,
although more studies are required. Some of its
benefits can include:
• Improved thinking
• Improved memory
• Better social behavior.
Vacha (Acorus calamus)
Chemical Constituents
•  α-asarone
• Camphene
•  P-cymene
• a-selinene
• b-cadinene
•  acorone
• Acrenone
Clinical test for Vacha
• Forty-seven healthy human volunteers from various
colleges of Mehsana were enrolled for the clinical
study during the period of August 2005 to October
2005. All the subjects were between the age group of
18-24 years.
• This investigation was a placebo controlled, double
blind, and single center clinical study for control, PHF
and MV. The Institutional Human Ethics Committee
of Shri Sarvajanik Pharmacy College, Mehsana,
approved the protocol and informed consent form
• The drugs used was Vacha and other mixtures
of memory enhancing herbal drug.
• During the period of 3 months study after
following inclusion and exclusion criteria 47
subjects participated (21 males and 26 females)
in the study. 10 subjects were randomized as
control (placebo treated), 15 subjects as PHF
(Poly Herbal Formulation) treated and 22
subjects as MV (Multivitamin) treated
 Results showed that there was a significant
increase in IQ score in PHF treated group
between 0 day and 90 days treatment. The IQ
score was not significantly changed in control
group or MV treated group.
uses
• Rhizome of this plant is useful in cleaning
speech and for treating epilepsy, delirium,
hysteria and loss of memory.
• Vacha oil from rhizome is good nervine
stimulant.
Mandukaparni (centella asiatica)
Chemical constituents
• Brahmoside
• Madecassoside
• Asiaticoside
•  Centoic acid and Centellic acid
• Centelloside
• Betulinic acid
• centic acid
• Centoic acid
Clinical Test of Madhukaparni
• A double-blind placebo-controlled independent
group design clinical study was conducted to assess
cognitive enhancing effects of the Centella
asiatica Linn. (Mandukaparni) indicates that there
was a significant increase in the general
• mental ability of mentally retarded children after 3
months and 6 months of drug administration. In
the behavioural area, significant improvement was
found in the overall general adjustment and
attention & concentration after 6 months.
• Reference: Ayurvedic Management for attention Deficit hyperactivity in children - A Review
• Another study indicates treatment
during postnatal developmental stage with
• Centella asiatica Linn. (Mandukaparni)extract
can influence the neuronalmorphology and
promote the higher brainfunctions of juvenile
and young adultmice.
Uses
• It is considered as a tonic in nerve and blood
disease.
• It is used in treatment of amnesia and hysteria,
behaviour learning and memory.
• It helps in strengthen brain nerves and promote
memory power.
Ashwagandha (withania somnifera)
Chemical Constituents
• Withanolides
• Withaferins
• Anaferine alkaloid
• Anahygrine
• Ashwagandhanolide
• Withananine
•  withanoside IV
• withanolides A-Y
Clinical Test for Ashwagandha
• A double-blind placebo-controlledi ndependent
group design clinical study was conducted to
assess cognitive enhancing effects of the Withania
Somnifera (L).
• In a study 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg orally root
extract of Withania somnifera (L.)
•  Dunal (Ashwagandha) was administered for 6
days in mice receiving chronic electroconvulsive
shock (ECS) treatment& results showed
significantly improved memory consolidation.
• Withania somnifera (L.)  Dunal
administered on day 7 also attenuated the
disruption of memory
consolidation produced by chronic treatment 
with ECS On the elevated plus maze
• Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal reversed the
scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg) induced delayin
transfer latency on day 1 that shows
nootropic like effect in naive and amnesic
mice of Withania somnifera (L.)
• Reference: Ayurvedic Management for attention Deficit hyperactivity in children - A Review
Uses
• Root of this plant is used in nervous exhaustion,
brain fatigue and loss of memory.
• It is a good tonic for brain.
• Effective in anxiety necrosis.
Some memory enhancing drugs in market
Brand name Botanical name Company

Memory+capsule Baccopa monnieri extr Nirvan herbal Pvt. Ltd.

Menrat tablets Brahmi, mandukaparni, Himalaya drug co.

jatamansi etc.
Brain tab tonic Brahmi, shankhpushpi, baidyanath
bhringraj
Shankhpushpi tonic Shankhpushpi baidyanath

Himalaya ashwagandha ashwagandha Himalaya herbal

healthcare
References
• http://scienceinclusive.com/2012/03/memory-
enhancers-mechanism-revealed/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/
263105.php
• http://www.planetayurveda.com
• Psychopharmacology springer-verlage 1982
78:346-352