NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS LINN ROOT EXTRACT: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL EVIDENCE

Neuroprotective effects of the root extract of Asparagus racemosus were studied both in animal models and clinical patients. Swiss albino mice were used for the study. Mice were subjected to 3 hrs unpredictable swim stress daily up to 30days to develop region specific neurodegeneration (Shukla, 2000). Separate group of animals were given 100mg/kg BW dose of A. racemosus root extract daily up to 30 days, orally. Histological and behavioural studies (open field test and passive avoidance test) were carried out. For clinical study, registered patients both male and female of approximately similar age groups, for cognitive disorders at local Ayurvedic hospital were selected. These were subjected to memory retention and recall test. Cytological studies demonstrated that total normal cell count in various regions of hippocampus (CA1, CA3, CA4 and Dg) was significantly high in stress + extract group as compared to stress group.and was comparable to control group. Percentage of hippocampal cell degeneration in stress and treated groups observed in our study is ranked in following order -CA3 > Dg> CA1 >CA4 as compared to control. Increase in normal cell percentage observed in stress + dose group suggests neuroprotection in following order: Dg > CA4 > CA1 > CA3.