Chemical and Pharmacological Study of Herbal Preparations that Improve Cognitive-Mnestic Functions

Abstract

Decoctions of two herbal mixtures including Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (meadowsweet), Vaccinium myrtillus L. (bilberry), and shoot and green leaves of Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch. (badan) were found to improve cognitive-mnestic functions and normalize conditioned reflex activity and explorative behavior of animals after hypoxic exposure. The decoction of mixture II containing mainly meadowsweet was most active at a dose of 5 mL/kg. The quantitative contents of flavonoids calculated as rutin in decoctions of mixtures I and II were (0.22 ± 0.007) and (0.36 ± 0.011) mg/mL, respectively. A total of 22 elements were detected in ash of mixture II and its potent decoction, including 15 essential or conditionally essential ones. Mixture II contained primarily K, Ca, Na, Mg, Si, P, Fe, and Mn; its decoction; Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Si, Mn, and Zn. The accumulation in the decoction of high concentrations of B, P, Mg, and Mo was noteworthy.