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Screening for Plants in Herbal Formulas from Traditional Doctors of Northern Thailand to Treat Cognitive Impairment

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Medicinal Plants of Northern Thailand for the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Plant Science ((BRIEFSPLANT))

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Abstract

The present study examines plants received from ethnobotanically guided interviews with northern Thai traditional healers. Using modern in vitro biological assays, 11 plant species from the pharmacopeia of northern Thailand were screened for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. Elderly dementia is commonly characterized by the degeneration of brain tissue. Anti-oxidants can help to protect the brain from this degeneration. Results from these tests demonstrated these plant extract’s potential to treat age related cognitive decline. The healers will be provided with these results to use in their medical practice and to assist them in the treatment of cognitive decline in their communities. This chapter describes the methodology and in vitro testing of Thai medicinal plants used for cognitive decline.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Lisa Offringa

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  1. Lisa Offringa
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Offringa, L. (2015). Screening for Plants in Herbal Formulas from Traditional Doctors of Northern Thailand to Treat Cognitive Impairment. In: Medicinal Plants of Northern Thailand for the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly. SpringerBriefs in Plant Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10241-2_5

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