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

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.