Role of natural herbs in management of psychological disorders prodromal to dementia

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundDepression is one of the major psychological disorders and a prodromal sign of dementia and may worsen with metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus. The present study was done to evaluate efficacy of saffron (Saf) and chamomile (Cham) against diabetes associated depression and memory impairment in murine model and through clinical trial in human volunteers visiting psychiatry clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.MethodIn murine study, 50 old diabetic albino wistar rats divided into 5 groups as healthy control (HC), diabetic control (DC), Saf water decoction (WD) 10mg/kg, Cham water decoction (CWD) 30mg/kg and Saf+Cham WD 5mg/kg+15mg/kg for two weeks. The behavioral analysis was done through and novel object recognition tests (NOR). Afterwards, animals were sacrificed for blood and brain samples collection. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04935671 of 100 depressed patients were given Saf+Cham tea (20mg+1mg) as an adjuvant therapy for depression and were assessed through PHQ9 scale. The tryptophan level was examined through ELISA.ResultIn animals, treatment of Saf and Cham significantly reduced glucose levels (F4, 45 = 9.847, p<0.05). However, tryptophan (F4, 45 = 8.25, p<0.05), acetylcholine (F4, 45 = 69.9, p<0.05) and serotonin levels (F4, 45 = 116.200; p<0.05) in the brain were increased with improved NOR performance (F4, 45 = 55.718, p<0.05).The clinical trial also revealed significant improvement in PHQ 9 scale (F3, 80 = 20.036, p<0.05) with maintenance of tryptophan levels in the serum (F3, 80 = 5, p<0.05).ConclusionThe study was validated through murine model study showing augmentation of insulin and hence tryptophan entry in the brain through saffron and chamomile administration triggering synthesis of serotonin in brain. The other possible route may be the herbal modulation through acetylcholine levels supplementing serotonin levels in brain. The effects of ACh generated by both populations of cholinergic cells are mediated through pre‐ and postsynaptic receptors on a wide range of neuronal subtypes across the brain which contribute to multiple cortical and hippocampal functions. The clinical trial also showed strong modulating effects of herbal tea on metabolic profile and precursor amino acid with alleviation of depression, a prodromal sign of dementia.