Monday, April 23, 2012

Article: Ashwagandha and Alzheimer’s

You can read the entire article here.

"The NBRC Neuroscientist, Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, tested the semi-purified sample of the root of the herb, extracted at Delhi University on genetically modified mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The study involved two set of mice –a set of middle aged mice and another set of old mice. They were given oral doses of Ashwagandha root extract for 30 days, and monitored.

After one month, the scientists noticed a reduction in the amount of amyloid plaques (Beta Amyloid is the main component of amyloid plaques), the deposits usually found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. The animals also showed improvement in cognitive abilities.

Initially, the mice with Alzheimer’s were neither able to learn, nor retain the learning. However, following 20 days of Ashwagandha treatment, there was a difference, and after 30 days, they began to behave normally, Ravindranath said."