Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential of Mastakam Yoga via HRMS Analysis: A study on Acorus calamus & Centella asiatica

Introduction: Globally, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders like Dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease is increasing, highlighting the need for effective natural neuroprotective and antioxidant agents. In Ayurveda, herbs like Centella asiatica (Mandukparni) and Acorus calamus (Vacha) are well known for their neuroprotective and memory-boosting properties.  In this study, a unique herbal formulation called Mastakam Yoga (MSY) was prepared with hydroalcoholic extracts of these two herbs in equal proportion. MSY is suggested to have synergistic antioxidant and neuroprotective benefits. The objective of this study is to discover bioactive components in Mastakam Yoga using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and assess their role in neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. Materials and Methods: Mastakam Yoga (MSY) was formulated by combining an equal amount of hydroalcoholic extracts of Acorus calamus and Centella asiatica. The formulation was analysed using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) for phytochemical profiling. The compounds were then examined through existing research to check for known antioxidant or neuroprotective qualities. Emphasis was placed on compounds known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Results: Several bioactive substances, including kynurenic acid, betaine, gabapentin, nootkatone, vanillin, and scopoletin, were found by HRMS analysis of Mastakam Yoga. These chemicals are linked to neuroprotective mechanisms that include oxidative stress inhibition, synaptic plasticity enhancement, and neuroinflammation control. Discussion: The findings suggest that MSY has strong potential as a natural antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. However, further in vivo and clinical trials are essential to validate these findings and examine the potential therapeutic use of MSY in treating cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases.