The traditional use of R. rosea as a tonic in Siberian and Russian medicine stimulated extensive research leading to identification of R. rosea as an adaptogen — a substance that nonspecifically increases the resistance of an organism and does not disturb normal biological parameters. Studies in cell cultures, animals, and humans have revealed antifatigue, anti-stress, antihypoxic (protection against damaging effects of oxygen deprivation), anticancer, antioxidant, immune enhancing and sexual stimulating effects.2,18,24,38-40 Since the Russian and Bulgarian literature is so extensive, this discussion will …

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri, Scrophulariaceae) is an aquatic plant that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory, intellectual function, and longevity. Several randomized, blind, controlled clinical trials demonstrate the benefits of bacopa extract on memory and learning, including one that also improved depression and anxiety measures in the elderly without dementia.1 A Phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and tolerability of BacoMind™ (Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India), a standardized extract of bacopa, in healthy volunteers.2 The purpose of this randomized, placebocontrolled, double-blind study was to evaluate the …

Two new studies suggest that a compound derived from turmeric may have clinical promise for ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), both of which currently lack good therapies.
A synthetic derivative of turmeric made by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies dramatically improved the behavioral and molecular deficits seen in animal models of these conditions.
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In the first trial outside of China, the National Institute on Aging currently is conducting a phase II clinical trial evaluating huperzine A in doses of 200 μg or 400 μg twice a day among patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The aims of the study are to determine if huperzine improves cognitive function, global clinical status, activities of daily living, and behavior, and to evaluate the tolerability of the supplement. Additionally, the study is investigating the relationship …