Spices: Potential therapeutics for alzheimer’s disease

N. Satheeshkumar, R. S.K. Vijayan, A. Lingesh, S. Santhikumar, Ch Vishnuvardhan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

India has traditionally been known to all over the world for spices and medicinal plants. Spices exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. In contemporary, Indian spices are used to rustle up delicious delicacies. However, the Indian spices are more than just adjuvant which adds aroma and fragrance to foods. A few spices are very widely used and grown commercially in many countries, contain many important chemical constituents in the form of essential oil, oleoresin, oleogum, and resins, which impart flavor, pungency, and color to the prepared dishes, simultaneously exerts diverse therapeutic benefits. Ayurveda, the traditional systems of medicine in India has many evidences for the utilization of spices to cure various diseases. Some of the activities have been scientifically proven. Among various indications central nervous system disorders are of prime importance and it has been evident in traditional books and published reports that spices in fact protect and cure neuronal ailments. Likewise there are many spices found in India used for culinary purpose and have been found to have reported specific activities against brain disorders. About 400 B.C., Hippocrates rightly said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” This review focuses on the importance of spices in therapeutics and the till date scientific findings of Indian spices in CNS pharmacology and explores the potential of Indian spices to cure CNS disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Neurobiology
PublisherSpringer New York LLC
Pages57-78
Number of pages22
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Neurobiology
Volume12
ISSN (Print)2190-5215

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Ayurveda
  • Indian spices
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
  • Toxicity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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