Celastrus, particularly Celastrus paniculatus (commonly known as the "intellect tree"), has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a "medhya rasayana"—a class of herbs believed to enhance memory and cognitive function. Traditional texts and anecdotal reports describe its use for improving mental clarity, learning ability, and memory, which could be associated with the acetylcholine system, given acetylcholine’s key role in cognition. The seeds and oil are the primary parts used, and their use has been recorded for centuries in India and other parts of Asia.

However, the scientific validation for Celastrus’s effects specifically on the acetylcholine system is limited. Some preclinical studies (in vitro and in animal models) indicate that extracts of Celastrus paniculatus may enhance cognitive function, possibly via antioxidant effects or by modulating cholinergic function. For example, rodent studies have shown that Celastrus oil can improve memory and may influence acetylcholinesterase activity, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Nonetheless, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials in humans directly confirming its efficacy in supporting acetylcholine levels or function.

In summary, the primary justification for using Celastrus to support the acetylcholine system comes from traditional medicine, with only limited scientific exploration and no strong clinical evidence to date.