Comparative Nootropic Activity of Krishna Jeeraka (Carum carvi Linn.) and Shweta Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) W.S.R. to Medhya Karma in Albino Rats

Abstract

Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and significantly influences quality of life, productivity, and longevity. The global prevalence of cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is steadily increasing, and current management primarily relies on synthetic nootropic and psychotropic drugs that may produce adverse effects on long-term use. Ayurveda describes Medhya dravyas that enhance Dhee, Dhriti, and Smriti, offering safer therapeutic alternatives. Jeeraka, though traditionally indicated for Deepana and Pachana karma, is also described to possess Medhya karma. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the nootropic activity of Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka with reference to Medhya karma using an experimental animal model. Healthy albino rats were divided into four groups: control, standard (Piracetam 200 mg/kg), Krishna Jeeraka churna (540 mg/kg), and Shweta Jeeraka churna (540 mg/kg). Memory impairment was induced using Scopolamine (8 mg/kg), and learning and memory were assessed using the Morris Water Maze test by evaluating spatial acquisition, reference memory, working memory, long-term memory, and amnesia. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test. Both Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka produced significant improvement in learning and memory parameters compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and their effects were comparable to the standard drug. Krishna Jeeraka demonstrated relatively better efficacy in Grahana, Dharana, and Smarana shakti, whereas Shweta Jeeraka showed comparatively better effect on Grahana shakti. The study concludes that both varieties of Jeeraka possess significant nootropic activity, thereby validating their Medhya karma, with Krishna Jeeraka showing slightly superior cognitive enhancement.

Introduction

Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and is closely linked to learning, memory, decision-making, and quality of life. With rising stress and lifestyle changes, mental health disorders are increasing globally, including dementia and cognitive decline at younger ages. Although modern nootropic drugs such as piracetam and donepezil improve cognition, their long-term use is limited by side effects, creating a need for safer, natural alternatives.

Ayurveda emphasizes mental balance through the concept of Medha, which corresponds to cognitive abilities such as comprehension, retention, and memory. Substances possessing Medhya karma are traditionally used to enhance intellect and treat memory-related disorders. Krishna Jeeraka (Carum carvi Linn.) and Shweta Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) are classical Ayurvedic Medhya dravyas, commonly used, cost-effective, and easily available as both food and medicine. This study was undertaken to scientifically evaluate and compare their nootropic activity.

The aim of the study was to compare the nootropic effects of Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka in Wistar albino rats using the Morris Water Maze test. Objectives included pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic evaluation of both drugs, along with experimental assessment of their cognitive-enhancing effects.

The methodology involved analytical evaluation (macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic studies) and an experimental study using rats divided into four groups: control, standard (piracetam), Krishna Jeeraka, and Shweta Jeeraka. Cognitive function was assessed through spatial learning, memory retention, working memory, long-term memory, and anxiety-related behavior using the Morris Water Maze. Memory impairment was induced using scopolamine to evaluate the protective and restorative nootropic effects of the test drugs.

Analytical studies revealed distinct macroscopic and microscopic differences between Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka seeds, while both shared similar Ayurvedic properties and phytochemical constituents associated with cognitive enhancement.

Overall, the study was designed to validate the traditional Medhya claims of Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka through systematic experimental evaluation, aiming to identify safe and effective natural nootropic agents for improving learning and memory.

Conclusion

1) Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical studies showed the results as per API standards confirming the identity and genuinity of the trial drugs. 2) The HPTLC study showed the presence of minimal percentage of Cuminaldehyde in both Jeeraka’s implying its less contribution to Medhya karma. 3) Both Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka exhibited effective Nootropic activity, thus found to possess Medhya karma. 4) Both Krishna Jeeraka and Shweta Jeeraka showed similar Nootropic activity where in Krishna Jeeraka was comparatively better. 5) Shweta Jeeraka was better in Grahana Shakti where as Krishna Jeeraka was effective in Grahana, Dharana and Smarana Shakti. A. Scope for Further Study 1) Dose optimization and long term safety evaluations can be conducted to determine the most effective and safe therapeutic dosage for potential clinical applications. 2) Comparative studies on different extracts of both drugs can be undertaken for to identify which extract possesses superior Nootropic activity. 3) Isolation of active Phytoconstituents and exact mechanism of action on neurotransmitter responsible for Medhya karma followed by Pharmacological validation using receptor binding and Neuroprotective assays. 4) Clinical trials in humans can be planned to validate the preclinical results and establish therapeutic relevance in conditions like memory impairment, Alzheimer’s disease etc. 5) Exploration of synergistic combination of Jeeraka species with other Medhya dravyas can be carried out to enhance cognitive efficacy.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. Abhishek, Dr. Dharani, Dr. Sampathkumar Bellamma , Dr. Shivananda B Karigar , Dr. Rajashekhar S Ganiger. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.