Neuroprotective evaluation of three source plants of Rasna in experimental models of focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Rasna source plants such as Pluchea lanceolata, Alpinia galanga and newlineVanda roxburghii are mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of pain, newlineindigestion, gout, cough, inflammation, arthritis, sciatica and neurological newlinedisorders. According to Ayurveda, Rasna is considered as Agrya Dravya newline(supreme drugs) for the management of any neurodegenerative conditions as newlinethey are considered Vrushya and Vatahara. Vrushya means not only newlineaphrodisiac but also depicts corrections of Saptha Dathu from rasa to Shukra. newlineIn case of neuro degeneration, almost all seven Dathus (elements) are going newlineto face the insult of virulent vatha and hence potent Rasayana /Vrushya newlineDravya is required to be used in this condition. Rasna source drugs are being newlineused in more than 120 herbal formulations for the treatment of chronicand newlineacute illness. Some of the important formulations are Rasna erandadi newlinekashaya, Rasna saptaka kashaya, Rasnadi guggulu, Maharasnadi kashaya, newlineDadhika gritha and Rasnadi choorna. However, there is no experimental basis newlinefor its therapeutic action in cerebral ischemic and cognitive impairment newlinecondition. In the present study, investigations were done to determine if newlinehydroalcoholic extract of Pluchea lanceolata (HAPL), Alpinia galanga (HAAG) newlineand Vanda roxburghii (HAVR) could exert neuroprotection against experimental focal cerebral ischemia in rats by using histological, biochemical newlineand cognitive assessment studies. newline