Design, reformulation, and standardization of a traditional-based memory enhancer herbal preparation originated from Persian medicine

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia that has been cited in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) manuscripts under the heading "Farāmūshkārī", "Fesād-e-Zekr" and "Nesiān". Since AD is a significant challenge for health professionals, searching for natural and effective compounds is crucial.

Given the importance of AD, this study has provided a standardized plant-based tablet based on TPM.

Related preparations were extracted from leading pharmaceutical manuscripts of TPM. Out of 127 gathered compound formulations, a preparation containing Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. (Persian cumin) and Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) was selected from the Canon of Medicine of Avicenna. After evaluating various excipients for tablet preparation, the proportions of Persian cumin (40 %), black pepper (40 %), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as solution binder (20 %) were chosen. The final formulation was undergone through ethanol and dichloromethane and essential oil extractions to prepare for HPTLC fingerprints and GC assessments, respectively. The total alkaloid in the tablet's ethanol extract was also determined via spectrophotometry.

The final tablet was standardized via GC based on trans-caryophyllene (29.22 %) and g-terpinene (17.72 %). Each tablet contains an average of 0.041 mg of trans-caryophyllene and 0.018 mg of g-terpinene. The amount of the total alkaloid in each tablet was determined 0.06 mg, equivalent to atropine.

This prepared simple natural formulation can be considered a traditional-based product to be evaluated clinically and presented as a memory enhancer supplement.