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Ayurvedic Ideology on Rasapanchak-Based Cognitive Drug Intervention

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Medicinal Herbs and Fungi

Abstract

Ayurveda uniquely describes health as a state of mental and spiritual well-being apart from physical well-being. It has imparted an etiology of mental origin to various diseases. The basic memory functions are regarded to be a combination of the power of acquisition (Grahana), retention (Dharana), and recollection (Smarana).

The fundamental doctrine of “Tridosha” states that Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three (energy) or biological rhythms regulating the physical and mental functioning of the human body. Pitta is responsible for understanding and grasping knowledge due to its Satva, Aashukari, and Tikshna property. Vata is responsible for the association of ideas. Kapha provides stability, which is necessary for the retention of memory.

The seers have stated that a drug exhibits its action either by its Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka, and Prabhava. This pentad ultimately influences the alteration in the status of Dosha. Similarly, Satva corresponding to Pitta, Raja corresponding to Vata, and Tama corresponding to Kapha are stated to regulate the functions of the brain and intellect in humans. It is the proper combination of the pentad above in medicinal plant drugs that aids in altering the deranged mechanisms of cognitive functions as per Ayurveda. Sheeta veerya, along with madhura rasa and madhura vipaka, improves retention power and katu rasa, katu vipaka, and ushna veerya drugs enhance the ability to acquire new information and data interpretation. The concept of Veerya is close to the “Yin and Yang” theory of Chinese medicine. Many medicinal plants viz. Guduchi, Yashtimadhu, Brahmi, and so on have been entitled as medhya rasayana, i.e., these are bestowed with enhanced properties to correct the cognitive dysfunction. Apart from these, various other drugs based on the pentad principle mentioned above have been said to participate in augmenting functions of different levels of brain and intellect.

Thus, it is the need of the hour to understand the rationale of Ayurveda’s ideology behind the management of cognitive dysfunctions. It will undoubtedly help researchers to understand and find leads in various disorders of the nervous system. The chapter will explore the rationale of Ayurveda in the management of cognitive disorders.

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Abbreviations

Ach:

Acetylcholine

AChE):

Acetylcholinesterase

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

AS:

Argyreia speciosa

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

BM:

Bacopa monnieri

CAT:

Catalase

DAD:

Diallyl disulfide

DAT:

Diallyl trisulfide

EPM:

Elevated plus-maze

GABA:

Gamma aminobutyric acid

GSH:

Glutathione

LIF:

Leukaemia inhibitory factor

MAO-A:

Monoamine oxidase A

NO:

Nitric oxide

PDE:

Phosphodiesterase

PTU:

Propylthiouracil

RAM:

Radial arm maze

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SOD :

Superoxide dismutase

STZ:

Streptozotocin

TGF-β3:

Transforming growth factor-beta 3

TH-IR:

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive

TNF-α:

Tumour necrosis factor

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Correspondence to Sharad D. Pawar .

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© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Ranade, A., Surana, M., Dhokne, S.V., Gaidhani, S., Pawar, S.D. (2021). Ayurvedic Ideology on Rasapanchak-Based Cognitive Drug Intervention. In: Agrawal, D.C., Dhanasekaran, M. (eds) Medicinal Herbs and Fungi. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4141-8_18

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