Effect of Majoon‐e‐Nisyan (a traditional polyherbal Unani formulation) in animal models of learning and memory

According to classical Unani literature, the multicomponent traditional Unani formulation majoon‐e‐nisyan is used to treat amnesia and cognitive impairment. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate majoon‐e‐nisyan's effectiveness in improving cognitive function.Majoon‐e‐Nisyan was prepared as per traditional method. The cognitive function was evaluated using the passive avoidance test and the water maze experiment in mice. The effectiveness of the test drug was compared to that of the positive control drug, piracetam.Passive avoidance data recorded during the memory retention trial showed that transfer latency was significantly increased by majoon‐e‐nisyan at 1000 mg/kg bw (body weight) (p < 0.05) and at 1500 mg/kg bw (p < 0.001) as well as by the positive control (p < 0.001) compared to scopolamine control (negative control). Data of the water maze experiment showed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in time spent near the platform quadrant following treatment with the test drug at mid‐dose (1000 mg/kg bw) and high dose (1500 mg/kg bw) in comparison with vehicle control. A significant increase in time spent in the platform quadrant was also observed in the piracetam group (p < 0.01).The study indicated that majoon‐e‐nisyan had a beneficial effect on cognitive functions at tested dose levels of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw in both models. However, the dose of 500 mg/kg bw was ineffective. The current study was successful in demonstrating the effectiveness of majoon‐e‐nisyan using two validated mouse models. Our findings provide more evidence in favor of the concept of hot‐tempered medications used in traditional Unani medicine to treat dementia. This formulation may be used as an alternative to conventional dementia medications.