Rasayana Herbs of Ayurveda to Treat age Related Cognitive Decline: An Update

Introduction: Cognitive decline associated with aging could be minor or major neuro-cognitive disorder presenting with progressive intellectual deterioration interfering with day to day activities. Behaviour and personality changes may complicate the life in due course. Significant increase in global prevalence of people aged above 60 years has raised concerns on effective management of old age problems. Age related cognitive deficits and dementia raise to the level of epidemics and established management is yet underway. Principles of preventive health and rasayana (rejuvenative) herbs of Ayurveda are being extensively researched up on for their effectiveness in dementia. In this fourteen such herbs with anti dementia property are discussed with relevant research update. Methods: Herbs like amalaki (Emblica officinalis), hareetaki (Terminalia chebula), haridra (Curcuma longa), manduka parni (Centella asiatica), aindri (Bacopa monniera), yastimadhu (Glycirrhiza glabra), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pleuricaulis), vacha (Acorus calamus), jyotishmati (Celastrus panniculata), kushmanda (Benincasa hispida), Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamamsi), ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) and kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens (Linn.)) are already proven of their efficacy in experimental and preclinical levels. The contents and research evidences are collected from ayurveda database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda and Siddha and other authentic literature, Google scholar, Science direct, online and print journals. Discussion: The herbs in discussion mostly act on reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress injury by antioxidant properties and neuroprotective activity. Acetylcholine esterase inhibition, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate antagonism, Dopaminergic activity, Anti-amyloidogenic activity, Inhibition of Tau aggregation, neuroprotection and immune modulation are activity path ways. Tridosha namely Kapha, Pitta and Vata may be viewed to be categorically predominant in initial, middle and final stage of dementia. Selected herbs thus can be specific based on the pathology and relevant dosha predominance. Conclusion: Rasayana herbs with current updates and inferences can serve as an eye-opener for further researches at molecular and clinical aspect.