Abstract

EFFECT OF EXTRACT OF RUDRAKSHA (ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS) ON PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND DEPRESSION

*Gaurav Ajay Dubey

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is a major cause of disability among the elderly. Parkinson’s disease is currently the second most common neurological degenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting an estimated 1.5% of the US population over the age of 65, and more than 4 million individuals over the age of 50 worldwide, a number expected to double by the year 2030. Parkinson’s disease is more common in males and is twice as likely to affect whites and Hispanics as blacks and Asians.[1] Depression is the common cold of mental disorders — most people will be affected by depression in their lives either directly or indirectly, through a friend or family member. Confusion about depression is commonplace, e.g., with regard to what depression exactly is and what makes it different from just feeling down. There is also confusion surrounding the many types of depression that people experience — unipolar depression, biological depression, manicdepression, seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia, etc.[2] Elaeocarpus ganitrus commonly known as Rudraksha in India belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family and grows in the Himalayan region. Type Elaeocarpus has about 360 species, occurs during Australia, East Asia, Malaysia and the Pacific Islands. About 120 species belonging to this genus from different parts of Asia and out of this, 25 species occur in India alone.[3] Present text has been attempting to give an idea about the curing property for parkinson’s disease and depression of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus).

Keywords: Elaeocarpus ganitrus, depression.