NOOTROPICS) Joshi Pranav C* Dept
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Joshi Pranav. UJEAS 2013, 01 (01): Page 8-18 Unique Journal of Engineering and Advanced Sciences Available online: www.ujconline.net Review Article A REVIEW ON NATURAL MEMORY ENHANCERS (NOOTROPICS) Joshi Pranav C* Dept. of Pharmacology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra Ranchi, India Received: 10-09-2013; Revised: 05-10-2013; Accepted: 03-11-2013 *Corresponding Author : Pranav C. Joshi Dept. of Pharmacology Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra Ranchi, India Phone: +91-7762922570 E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Nootropics also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that purportedly improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth. Drugs considered cognitive enhancers include dietary products and supplements, racetams, stimulants, dopaminergics, cholinergics, GABA blockers, glutamate activators, serotonergics and hormones, etc. however not all are healthy or safe to use but they can still have mental benefits. The safest types of cognitive enhancers constist of herbal drugs and are available in supplement form, which mostly contain vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, etc and other herbal ingredients. Vitamins are involved in brain development and in adult brain function. Omega-3 influences both communication between cells and cell function. Antioxidants help to retain the mental abilities longer, keep the brain younger and protect it from oxidative damage. Amino acids help to produce the catecholamines and create alertness. Hormones increase neurogenesis and improve both memory encoding and recall. Iron helps create hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the brain. Creatinine protects ATP during transport. Lipoic acid improves oxygen usage and antioxidant recycling, improving memory and Germanium increases oxygen supply to the brain. Herbs and herbal products which have been found useful in improving cognitive ability include Bacopa monniera, Ginkgo biloba, Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, Brahmi rasayana, , Lycoris radiata , Sutherlandia frutescens, Mucuna pruriens, Butea frondosa , St John’s Wort , Arecholine, Royl Jelly, Caffeine, Curcumin and so on. The mechanism of action is different for different drugs. These drugs are used primarily to treat people with cognitive difficulties as in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Keywords: Brain, Memory enchanters, Herbs, Intelligence. Cognitive enhancers are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, INTRODUCTION and functional foods that enhance attentional control and The brain is the center of the nervous system which controls memory. Nootropics are cognitive enhancers that memory, thought, reason judgment, consciousness and are neuroprotective or extremely nontoxic. emotion. Supporting the brain health is vital for ensuring a Nootropics (pron.: /noʊ.əˈtrɒpɨks/ noh-ə-TROP -iks ), also successful regulation and coordination of body activities. referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro There are a variety of nutritional supplements that are useful enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, in preserving the health of brain 1. are drugs,supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional The natural system of medicine is exploring tremendous foods that purportedly improve mental functions such benefits from the herbs which are used in various aspects and as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and 2,3 one of the aspects include brain function with includes concentration . improving memory, improving alertness, improving Various mechanisms by which nootropics acts are as follows: intelligence, improving mental performance etc. 1. Increasing circulation to the brain. Unique Journal of Engineering and Advanced Sciences 01(01), Oct-Dec 2013 8 Joshi Pranav. UJEAS 2013, 01 (01): Page 8-18 2. Providing precursors to neurotransmitters (chemical a. L-Phenylalanine—purported cognitive improvement messengers in the brain). b. L-Tyrosine (or N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, more bioavailable 3. Improving neuron function. form)-purported cognitive improvement 4. Preventing free radical and oxidative damage to brain c. L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine)- cells. precursor to catecholamines (dopamine); neurotoxic 5. Providing usable energy to the brain and so on. effects documented 11,12,13 . Cognitive enhancers generally include: d. Biopterin—a rare vitamin (coenzyme) that is synthesized 1) Dietary Sources and Supplements: in the pineal gland & crucial to the biosynthesis of Dietary sources and supplements increase glucose levels in the dopamine brain and hence influence memory, learning, concentration e. Pyridoxal-phosphate (or PLP, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, and decision-making. Lack of these leads to a negative effect P5P, active form of Vitamin B6)- plays a role in the on the brain. Examples- Vitamins, Omega-3, Iron, conversion of L-DOPA into dopamine (via the Antioxidants, Amino acids, Caffeine 4. enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase) 2) Racetams: 1. Reuptake inhibitors - stabilize/improve levels Their mechanisms of action are not fully understood, however, a. Amineptine- mild stimulant piracetam and aniracetam are known to act as positive b. Methylphenidate- stimulant approved for ADHD; allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors. They also appear to strong DAT inhibition. modulate acetylcholinergic systems 5. Although aniracetam c. Bupropion- atypical antidepressant; moderate DAT and nebracetam show affinity for muscarinic receptors, inhibition only nefiracetam shows it at the nanomolar range. Racetams 2. MAO-B inhibitors- prevent breakdown have been called "pharmacologically safe" drugs 6. a. Selegiline- Mild stimulant; irreversible Nefiracetam, however, shows much more serious health risks b. Rasagiline- Mild stimulant; irreversible to males. Other examples includes: Pramiracetam, c. Rhodiola rosea - Adaptogenic herb; reversible 14 Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Nebracetam 7. 3. Dopamine agonists 3) Stimulants: a. Ropinirole- agonist at D2, D3, and D4 receptors They are often seen as smart drugs , but may be more b. Pramipexole- agonist at D2, D3 and D4 receptors accurately termed productivity enhancers . These typically 4. Others improve concentration and a few areas of cognitive a. Mucuna pruriens- natural source of L-DOPA performance, but only while the drug is still in the blood. b. Modafinil—purported dopaminergic activity Some scientists recommend widespread use of stimulants such c. Citicoline 15 (aka: cytidine diphosphate-choline (CDP- as methylphenidate and amphetamines by the general Choline) & cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine)—studies population to increase brain power 8, 9 . suggest CDP-choline supplements increase dopamine Examples- receptor densities, and suggest that CDP-choline 1. Amphetamines: supplementation can ameliorate memory impairment a. Amphetamine - adrenergic, dopaminergic caused by environmental conditions. b. Lisdexamfetamine - dextroamphetamine (prodrug) 5) Memory Enhancers: c. Methamphetamine- adrenergic, dopaminergic a) Cholinergics: They affect the neurotransmitter 2. Adrenergics: acetylcholine or the components of the nervous system that a. Atomoxetine- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor use acetylcholine which is a facilitator of memory formation. (approved for ADHD) Cognitive functions in the brain are improved by increasing b. Reboxetine- Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; approved the availability of this neurotransmitter. Cholinergic in Europe or clinical depression but may also be used off- nootropics include acetylcholine precursors and cofactors, label to treat ADHD and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors etc: Examples- c. Synephrine (found in Bitter orange)- agonist 1. Precursors at α1 adrenergic receptors a. Choline- precursor of acetylcholine 3. Cholinergics: Arecoline, Nicotine and phosphatidylcholine 4. Eugeroics: Adrafinil, Armodafinil, Modafinil b. DMAE- precursor of acetylcholine 5. Xanthines: Caffeine, Paraxanthine, Theobromine, c. Meclofenoxate- probable precursor of acetylcholine, 10 Theophylline approved for Dementia and Alzheimer's, 4) Dopaminergics: d. Alpha-GPC- thought to be the only cholinergic that These are substances that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine delivers choline to the brain across the Blood–brain or the components of the nervous system that use dopamine. barrier; sold under its chemical name Attributable effects of dopamine are enhancement of attention, 6 2. Cofactors alertness, and antioxidant activity . Dopamine is the primary a. Acetylcarnitine—amino acid that functions in activity of stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) acetylcholine production by donating the acetyl portion to or amphetamine. Dopaminergic nootropics include following the acetylcholine molecule classes: Vitamin B —cofactor in the conversion of choline into 1. Metabolic precursors - raise levels b. 5 acetylcholine Unique Journal of Engineering and Advanced Sciences 01(01), Oct-Dec 2013 9 Joshi Pranav. UJEAS 2013, 01 (01): Page 8-18 3. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Coenzyme Q-10, Creatine, Lipoic acid, Pyritinol, Picamilon, 6 Galantamine,Lycoris radiata , Huperzine A, Donepezil, Ginkgo Biloba, Vinpocetine . Rosemary,Sage, Cannabis