Lemongrass tea can prevent memory decline

Nigerian researchers tested the ability of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) to protect memory from the effects of amnesia. In a scopolamine-induced amnesia model, mice treated with a water-based extract of lemongrass demonstrated better memories than their untreated kin.

The University of Ibadan supported this research effort. The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants.

• The experimental groups took doses of either 25, 50, or 100 milligrams per kilogram (ml/kg) of lemongrass extract, while the control group received 10 milliliters of a saline solution. The treatment was given every day for a total of seven days.
• In the interaction studies, these treatments were administered 30 minutes before the animals were given amnesia-inducing scopolamine. Half an hour after the seventh and final treatment, the mice performed Y-maze and object recognition tests.
• At the end of the trial period, the animals were sacrificed. Brain tissue samples were taken for analysis of malondialdehyde and glutathione levels as well as acetylcholinesterase activity.
• Animals treated with lemongrass extract displayed better memories during both tests. The herbal treatment also reduced the effects of scopolamine-induced amnesia on the mice.
• Scopolamine was shown to cause oxidative stress and increases the levels of acetylcholinesterase. The lemongrass extract was able to reduce the memory-damaging effect of the former and lower the amounts of the latter.

The researchers recommended the use of lemongrass as a plant-based therapy for patients who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other diseases that involve declining memories.

Check out NaturalCures.news to read more about the brain-boosting effects of consuming lemongrass.

Journal Reference:

Umukoro S, Adeola AH, Ben-Azu B, Ajayi AM. LEMON GRASS TEA ENHANCED MEMORY FUNCTION AND ATTENUATED SCOPOLAMINE-INDUCED AMNESIA IN MICE VIA INHIBITION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ACETYL-CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. 2018;24(4):407–420. DOI: 10.1080/10496475.2018.1520777