11: Neuro Botanicals

Question 1

Bacopa moniera

[Brahmi]

Answer 1

cooling, rasayana
triterpene saponins
**helps you forget less
enhances cognition and memory, antiox, hepatoprotective
MOA: ACh-ase inhibition, B-amyloid reduction, increases cerebral blood flow
IND: dementia, age related cognitive decline, Parkinsons

Question 2

Centella asiaica

[Gotu kola]

Answer 2

triterpenoid saponins
nutritive, vulnerary, nervine, neuroprotective, anti-inflamm, circ tonic
IND: CVI, memory, anxiety, scleroderma
MOA: regenerates/protects neurons, protects against ox stress, enhances mitochondrial biogenesis

Question 3

Gingko biloba

Answer 3

tightening, moving
increases blood flow to brain and periphery, antiox, anti-inflamm, antithrombotic
IND: cerebrovasc insuff, migraines, tinnitus, vertigo, diabetic retinopathy, IC, Raynauds
MOA: modulates excitotoxic glutamergic neurotransmission, reduces B amyloid, free rad scavenger

Question 4

Petasites hybridis

Answer 4

SM antispasmodic, anti-inflamm, anti-allergy
sesquiterpene petasin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids
IND: asthma, bronchitis, hay fever; migraine HA prophylaxis, GI/bladder spasm
MOA: antihistamine, influences Ca channels

Question 5

Tenacetum parthenium

[Feverfew]

Answer 5

drying and warming
antimicrobial, anti-inflamm, febrifuge
constituents: sesquiterpene lactones, parthenolide, bioflavonoids
IND: migraine HAs, RA pain, fevers
MOA: inhibits LOX/COX/prostaglandins, stabilizes vasc SM, mast cell stabilizer, inhibits kappa B kinase

Question 6

Huperzine A

[derivative of Huperzia serrata]

Answer 6

revesersible ACh-ase inhibitor

compared to drugs…: longer DOA, better crossing of BBB/bioavail, fever SEs

Question 7

Vinpocetine

[semisynthetic derivative of Vinca minor]

Answer 7

vasodilation, nootropic
antiox, neuroprotective
IND: AD, PD

Question 8

Macuna pruriens

Answer 8

heating, may increase kapha, rasayana
aphrodisiasc, nourishes entire body and calms nerves
constituents: L-dopa, alkaloids, 5HTP
IND: Parkinsons