In Tibetan medicine, the medicinal herb Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) is highly valued for its extensive healing properties. Traditional texts and recent research both highlight its usefulness in combating bacteria, viruses, inflammation, oxidation, high blood sugar, and even tumors.
Despite its broad use, whether T. chebula can be a safe and effective treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been thoroughly examined.
To explore this potential, a research team from the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chengdu, China, conducted an extensive review of existing studies published between 1990 and 2024.
This team included experts from the College of Pharmacy, Meishan Hospital, the School of Ethnic Medicine, and the Research Institute of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine. Their review, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, aims to evaluate T. chebula’s possible role in helping people with MCI.
MCI is seen as an intermediate stage between normal age-related memory changes and dementia. If left untreated, it can progress to Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s was the fifth leading cause of death for people aged 65 and older in the United States in 2021. The current number of people living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is about 7 million, and this number is expected to reach 13 million by 2050.
The researchers also noted that living in high-altitude, low-oxygen areas, such as Tibet, may worsen cognitive issues and cause brain changes, especially at altitudes above 4,000 meters. This insight connects to the traditional Tibetan understanding of health and cognitive function.
Tibetan medicine has evolved over thousands of years, offering various approaches to dealing with age-related issues. Traditional practitioners classify MCI under a condition called Jie Xie Syndrome, which is believed to result from disturbances in “Long.”
In Tibetan medicine, “Long” represents a balance of circulation, energy, and mental activity. When “Long” becomes imbalanced due to factors like a weak heart, excessive worry, or stress, cognitive problems may arise.
Tibetan medicine focuses on preventing aging and regulating “Long” by enhancing the body’s strength, known as “tonifying Yang.”
- chebulais a key part of this practice. The herb comes from the dried fruit of a deciduous tree that grows in China, India, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
In traditional medicine, T. chebula is combined with other herbs to address various conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, high cholesterol, skin issues, and digestive problems. It is also used to boost immunity and improve resistance to infections.
The research team reviewed T. chebula’s chemical composition, identifying 171 active components such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, triterpenoids, and volatile compounds.
These components are believed to help alleviate MCI symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and blood-sugar-lowering properties. For instance, studies published in 2011 and 2020 revealed a higher risk of depression in people with MCI.
Further, a 2021 study showed that an ethanol extract from T. chebula had anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects in mice. It was found to reduce levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A), an enzyme linked to psychiatric disorders like Alzheimer’s, depression, and ADHD.
According to the researchers, T. chebula has strong neuroprotective properties. It helps protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both associated with cognitive decline.
The herb also improves blood flow to the brain, enhances nerve connections, and appears to support better sleep quality—an important aspect for people with MCI. However, more research is needed to fully understand how T. chebula affects sleep.
Despite these promising findings, the team stressed the need for further research to identify the specific active compounds in T. chebula and establish consistent quality standards for the herb. They also mentioned several challenges in treating MCI.
These include a lack of clear diagnostic guidelines, limited treatment options, difficulties in creating well-defined traditional Tibetan medicine remedies, and the absence of personalized treatments.
Additionally, there is a need for better long-term management of MCI, adherence to treatments, and stronger psychological and social support systems for patients.
In their concluding remarks, the researchers expressed optimism about the future. They suggested that Tibetan medicine, especially T. chebula, shows considerable potential in treating MCI.
They believe that as research advances, this traditional approach could offer valuable benefits in improving the quality of life for people with cognitive impairments.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Omega-3 fats and carotenoid supplements could improve memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
The research findings can be found in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
