Comparative clinical evaluation of herbal formulation with multivitamin formulation for learning and memory enhancement

摘要

Epidemiological studies of Indian population reveal that dementia is largely a hidden problem in India. Ayurveda claims several plants are beneficial in cognitive disorders.Pharmacoepidemiological studies reveal that herbal and allopathic learning and memory enhancing medicines are becoming very popular among Indian population. The objective of study was to clinically evaluate polyherbal formulation (PHF) and compare with multivitamin (MV) preparations used as learning and memory enhancer. It was randomized, placebo controlled, double blind clinical study approved by Institutio nal Human Ethics Committee. Forty-seven healthy human volunteers from colleges of Mehsana (18-24 years) ready to sign informed consent form were included in study. All these subjects were given either one capsule of placebo or two cap sules of PHF (500 mg) at night or MV (500 mg) 1 capsule two times a day for a period of three months. They were mo nitored for neuropsychological tests initially, after first and third mo nth of active treatment with PHF / MV. Results showed that there was significant increase in IQ score and short term memory score in PHF treated group between 0 and 9 0 days treatment. In the other battery test significant alterations were observed in all three groups. Our data suggest both PHF and MV supplementation specifically improves learning and memory as compared to placebo in healthy young subjects. PHF appears to be more active than MV