ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Most people associate Alzheimer’s disease mainly with memory loss, but it can cause many different symptoms and develop in very different ways. AD is not a curable disease, but it can be positively influenced by a number of different medications and non-drug treatments. According to the WHO 2016 report, AD holds 5th position in the top ten diseases in the world in terms of numbers of deaths. According to Ayurveda, there are three different bio-energies (DOSHA), seven different body tissues (DHATU), and three wastes (MALA), which are very important for maintaining the human body. When DOSHA affects MAJJA DHATU, different kinds of neurological disorders occur. As we know, VATA is dry and cold in nature; when excess VATA flows in MAJJA DHATU in the cerebral cortex, it causes shrinkage in the cortex and hippocampus, leaving a hollow space in the brain, which leads to AD. Currently, much research on various Ayurvedic medicinal plants has shown very promising effects on AD pathology. Because of the limited access of the phytoconstituents to the Central Nervous System (CNS), the greatest challenge to drug delivery into the CNS involves passing through the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB). Ayurveda have some novel methods of administering herbs or their preparations for treating CNS disorders. One novel method of herbal delivery, called “NASYA”, involves intranasal delivery of dry herbal powders or medicated oils. This is a practical, non-invasive, rapid, and simple method of delivering therapeutic agents to the CNS.
