CLINICAL STUDY OF ASSESSMENT OF THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF VACHADI GHRITA, A MEDICATED GHEE FORMULATION ON HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL’S COGNITION

: In traditional Ayurved, numbers of medicated ghee formulations are prescribed to regulate person’s cognitive functions. Vachadi ghrita [VG], a medicated ghee formulation is prescribed to maintain healthy process of intellect and memory. In recent experimental studies, positive action of VG on animal’s memory was proved. Thus to generate clinical evidence, the study was attempted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of VG on healthy individual’s memory using PGI memory scale test. Methods: Non randomized positive controlled clinical trial was carried out in ninety healthy individuals. Thirty participants from two groups received VG and Cow ghee respectively. Plain control group participants did not receive any drug. Drugs were administered orally in 10 g dose twice a day for continuous 30 days. PGI memory scale was used to analyze before and after treatment effects of drugs on learning and memory ability in healthy individuals. Results: The participants of Vachadi ghrita showed significant change in scores of PGI scale as compared to the participants of plain (p<0.01) and cow ghee groups (p<0.05). Substantial change in scores of mental balance, delayed – immediate recall, retention of similar and dissimilar pairs was determined in participants of VG group compared to other two groups. Study drug [VG] showed added positive effect on participant’s digestive power. Conclusion: Vachadi ghrita has significant effect on healthy individual’s learning ability, verbal working and short – term memory. The present results provide an evidence for therapeutic potential of VG on healthy person’s cognition.