Melissa officinalis: a memory enhancer remedy

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a perennial herb and it is a member of Lamiaceae family. MO is native to Europe and the leaves of the plants are used in traditional medicine for its effects on the central nervous system functions such as sedation, anxiolytic and memory enhancement. Furthermore, MO has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Convincing evidence shows that molecular changes such as oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with a decline in cognitive abilities, including learning and memory. MO and its main ingredient, rosmarinic acid, possess robust anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Besides, animal model studies have shown that MO and rosmarinic acid can improve memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. In this review beneficial implications of MO have been discussed.