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Evaluation of the neurocognitive and neuroprotective potentials of selected Nigerian medicinal plants in preclinical models of learning and memory
Author(s) -
Atunwa Soliu Abiola
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.046119
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , dementia , test (biology) , medicine , psychology , cognition , traditional medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , disease , biology , paleontology , pathology
Background Dementia is one of the most common forms of neurocognitive disorders with increasing global prevalence and attendant huge socio‐economic burden on the existing healthcare systems. The pathophysiology of amnesia which is unarguably common to all stages in dementia is poorly understood. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, South‐West, Nigeria have long been using certain medicinal plants as memory‐enhancers and neuroprotective remedies. These ethnomedicinal claims however have not been scientifically evaluated, hence, this study. Method Ethno‐pharmacological survey of medicinal plants used in the management of neurocognitive disorders in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, South‐West, Nigeria was carried out among the relevant study groups of the inhabitants through semi‐structured questionnaires and interviews in local language. Informed consent was obtained orally from all respondents before the administration of research tools. The Use Mention Index (UMI), frequency and percentage of occurrence as well as literature search were used as selection criteria for choosing medicinal plants to be screened for possible neurocognitive activities. Data will be expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) and evaluated using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post‐hoc test (student‐newman‐keuls test) to determine the source of significant effect or interaction. Graphpad prism version 6 (Graphpad Prism Inc., CA, U. S. A.) will be used as a statistical tool. Result data obtained from the ethnomedicinal survey revealed that about 105 medicinal plants are being used as memory enhancers and anti‐aging remedies in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State. They are called different local names as: “marugbo takebe”, ”oogun isoye,”, ”ajidewe”, ”sagba dewe”, “sarugbo domidan” among others. Basic information about geographical distribution; scientific, common and local names; identification, collection/harvesting, part(s) used; method(s) of preparation/processing of herbal remedies; formulations; mode of administration and posology; duration and frequency of use; potency/efficacy, toxicity, conservation and economic issues; poly‐pharmacy; peculiarities of each remedies; and other ethno‐medicinal uses were recorded. Conclusion preliminary results obtained so far showed that some of the medicinal plants have central activities thus, scientifically suggesting the rationale for their potential use in the management of memory disorders.