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Bacopa monnieri - ingredients and uses.

2017 - Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ) in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative
disease of the elderly. The rapid increase in its incidence has
necessitated development of newer drugs. Ayurvedic herbal
medications are increasingly researched due to their biosafety
profile and usefulness in cognitive impairment. In this
article, we critically reviewed one such Medhya Rasayana
(nootropic drug) Brahmi-derived from extract of Bacopa
monnieri (EBm). Studies have shown that EBm promotes free
radical scavenger mechanisms and protects cells in prefrontal
cortex, hippocampus, and striatum against cytotoxicity
and DNA damage implicated in AD. It also reduces lipoxygenase
activity reducing lipid peroxidation, increases glutathione
peroxidase and chelates iron. Administration of EBm
was seen to protect the cholinergic neurons and reduce anticholinesterase
activity comparable to donepezil, rivastigmine,
and galantamine. It also reduces hippocampal
ß-amyloid deposition and stress-induced hippocampal
damage. The neuroprotective effect of EBm is also due to
nitric oxide-mediated cerebral vasodilation. EBm improved
the total memory score and maximum improvement was
seen in logical memory and paired associate learning in humans
and reversed phenytoin-induced memory impairment
in experimental model. EBm has not shown any serious clinical,
neurological, hematological complications, or vital organs
damage in experimental studies. Rats showed marked
reduction in fertility; however, libido was unaffected. There
is no experimental evidence of genotoxicity or teratogenesis
by use of EBm. Mild nausea and gastrointestinal upset are
seen in humans. Brahmi promises to be a novel agent in AD;
however, further human trials are recommended to verify
the efficacy and rule out any side effects as evidenced by the
experimental models.
 
2008 - Effects of a Standardized Bacopa monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly

Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that B. monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive
performance in the aging.
 
2011 - The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri

Conclusions: There is some evidence to suggest that Bacopa improves memory free recall with evidence for
enhancement in other cognitive abilities currently lacking perhaps due to inconsistent measures employed by
studies across these cognitive domains. Research into the nootropic effects of Bacopa is in its infancy, with
research still yet to investigate the effects of Bacopa across all human cognitive abilities. Similarly, future research
should examine the nootropic effects of Bacopa at varied dosages and across different extracts.
 
2019 - Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) An ayurvedic herb against the Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with various neurodegenerative symptoms. The aggregates of Tau protein are
the predominant cause of AD. The current pharmacological approaches are mildly effective in attenuating AD.
Thus, certain new approaches have been tested for AD, which prominently includes application of natural
products. Brahmi (Bacopa Monnerei) is a well-known neuroprotective herb. The effect of Brahmi is well
elucidated in various aspects of neurodegeneration. Previous studies have suggested the antioxidant, antiinflammatory,
viability and proliferative effect of Brahmi. Here we are hypothesizing that Brahmi could be
effective in overcoming the Tau mediated pathology in neurons. Henceforth, nootropic herb Brahmi could be
beneficial in overcoming the AD symptoms and pathology.
 
2019 - Bacopa monnieri abrogates alcohol abstinence-induced anxiety-like behavior by regulating biochemical and Gabra1, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats

Evidence has revealed a high degree of comorbidity of excessive alcohol intake and abstinence anxiety-like
behavior. The ethanolic extracts of Bacopa monnieri (BME) are used in Indian traditional medicines for the
management of alcoholic disorders. However, the underlying mechanism(s) associated with the influence of
BME on alcohol abstinence-induced anxiety-like behavior have not been adequately addressed. Therefore, the
present study was planned to examine the beneficial effects of BME in alcohol abstinence-induced anxiety-like
behavior and the underlying mechanism of action subsequent to long-term voluntary drinking of alcohol. For the
assessment of the effects of BME, Wistar rats were exposed to voluntary ingestion of 4.5%, 7.5% and 9% v/v
alcohol for 15 days. The doses (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg) of BME and diazepam (2 mg/kg) were administered
via gavage for three consecutive days in the alcohol abstinence period on the days 16, 17, and 18. The behavioral
studies were conducted employing the elevated plus maze test (EPM), and light-dark test on day 18 to determine
the effects of BME and diazepam in the ethanol abstinence-induced anxiety-like behavior. Alcohol biomarkers
like ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, and MCV were estimated using commercially available kits. The expression of Gabra1,
Gabra2, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5 genes of the GABAA receptors subunits in the hippocampus as well as amygdala
were also examined by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The HPLC analysis demonstrated
that BME contained 9.9% bacoside-A as a major component. The results revealed that alcohol abstinence
group depicted a reduction in the time spent on the open arms, numbers of entries in the open as well as
closed arms in EPM test and similarly decrease in latency to the dark chamber, time spent in light chamber and
numbers of transitions in LDT. Further, BME at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg alleviated anxiety-like
behavior which was escalated during alcohol abstinence. However, BME (100 mg/kg) exhibited insignificant
protection against alcohol abstinence-induced syndrome. The escalated levels of alcohol-intake biomarkers were
also reversed by BME at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. The down-regulation of Gabra1, Gabra4, and
Gabra5 gene expression following alcohol abstinence were also reversed with a higher dose of BME (200 and
500 mg/kg) treatment. These results show that BME abrogates anxiety-like behavior by modulating alcohol
markers and Gabra1, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats.
 
2019 - Bacopa monnieri (L.) wettst. Extract protects against glutamate toxicity and increases the longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cause a great deal of suffering for
both patients and carers. Bacopa monnieri (L.) wettst. Is known for its memory-enhancing properties, and
is of great interest in treating neurodegenerative disease.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate B.monnieri against glutamate toxicity, and identify whether B.monnieri
reduces mitochondrial and ER stress, as well as to measure B.monnieri’s effect on the life span and
aging of Caenorhabditis elegans. We hypothesized that B.monnieri would prevent cellular oxidative stress,
prevent mitochondrial/ER stress, and increase the life span while reducing signs of aging in C.elegans.
Experimental procedures: Glutamate toxicity was measured using viable cell staining assays and the MTT
assay. ROS and mitochondrial stress were assessed by H2DCFDA and Rodamine123 staining, with fluorescence/
confocal microscopy. C.elegans’ median and maximum life span were measured, in response to
B.monnieri treatment, along with lipofuscin imaging to measure the health of the C.elegans population.
Results: B.monnieri hexane extract (but not ethanol extract) prevented the toxicity of 5mM glutamate in
HT-22 cells. We found that the mechanism involves the reduction of ROS production and the prevention
of mitochondrial and ER stress. Furthermore, we showed that B.monnieri could increase the median and
maximal lifespan of wild type C.elegans, maintain a younger appearing phenotype in the aged C.elegans.
Conclusions: In conclusion, B.monnieri prevents mitochondrial, and oxidative stress in the cultured cells.
Furthermore, it can prolong the healthy lifespan of C.elegans, indicating that B.monnieri the potential for
therapeutic and preventative use in neurodegenerative disease.
 
2020 - Antiepileptic potential of Bacopa monnieri in the rat brain during PTZ induced epilepsy with reference to cholinergic system and ATPases

The results obtained in the present investigation reveal that
there is a significant positive regulation of all the selected neurochemical
parameters during pre-treatment with Ethanol extract
(EE), n-Hexane extract (nHE), Ethyl acetate extract (CE) and n-
Butanol extract (nBE) in all the brain regions studied. These four
extracts of Bacopa monnieri considerably increased the seizure
threshold in the experimental model of generalized tonic-clonic
seizures and elicit perceptible changes in different facets of
neurotransmitter systems and the associated metabolic profiles, at
least, as part of its antiepileptic effect. These extracts were found to
have a challenging role in quenching the PTZ-induced abnormalities
that occur in cholinergic system, and ATPases in different brain
regions of rat. Hence, the information gained from the present
study can be used for proposing a better pharmacological tool for
the treatment of epilepsy and related neurological disorders. Thus,
these four extracts may be beneficial in antiepileptic treatment or
the bioactive compounds present in these extracts can be used in
the formulation of herbal drugs which can be used in the treatment
of epilepsy or to control the seizure generation. Since Bacopa
monnieri exhibited anti-seizure activity as evidenced from the
present investigation, it might be clinically useful in the control of
human epilepsies.
 
2020 - Dammarane triterpenoid glycosides in Bacopa monnieri

Conclusion and future prospects
Over the years, researchers had looked at the reputed herb of
ayurveda for its bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities
with special emphasis on neuroprotection.
The present review gave the summary of chemical constituents,
especially, dammarane triterpenoid glycosides, extraction, isolation,
structure elucidation strategies, chemoprofiling and biological
activities. B. monnieri contains two types of saponins i.e. jujubogenin
and pseudojujubogenin. Dammarane triterpenoid saponin of B. monnieri
have typical glycosylation pattern with ß-D-glucopyranosyl or a-Larabinofuranosyl
sugar moiety directly attached to C-3 of the aglycone
in the most of the cases. However, in few of the cases sulphated glucopyranosyl
sugar moiety is present. This up-to-date review presented
methods of extraction, isolation and chemical profiling of chemical
constituents of B. monnieri. The extraction procedures used in B. monnieri
are classical methods viz. soxhlet extraction and maceration.
However, the advanced extraction techniques such as ultra-sonication,
microwave extraction, accelerated solvent extraction and super critical
fluid extraction techniques could intensify the overall effectiveness of
the extraction procedures. In addition, analytical modern methods such
as LC-MS/MS and LC-NMR-MS and other hyphenated techniques execute
better analysis and structure elucidation of chemical constituents
in B. monnieri. Recently, chemical constituents of B. monnieri were
characterized by LC-ESI-OTOF-MS and concluded that thirty-two new
saponins were tentatively characterized which provides a basis for
further isolation of these compounds for their valuable activity
(Nuengchamnong et al., 2016).
The structure elucidation part describes the spectroscopic techniques
such as 1D, 2D-NMR and high resolution mass spectroscopy.
Various biological and pharmacological activities of B. monnieri and
its products have been summarized. In lit of many reports, B. monnieri
revealed that the wide varieties of neuropharmacological actions of this
plant opens up enthralling prospects for future research and may offers
innovative perceptions in the treatment of diseases. Clinical trials and
future research is required to ensure the outcomes of this plant species.
Future research should also have a focus on synergistic effects of different
compounds of this herb rather than considering only bacoside A
& B, structure activity relationships (SAR) for strategic drug development/
formulation leads and translational research studies for clinical
applications (Fishburn, 2013). Molecular modelling studies proves to be
supportive in the preliminary evaluation and creation of SAR (Ali et al.,
2012). This herb has a vast untapped potential in terms of undescribed
constituents that may have promising pharmacological activities and
may provide prospect for future studies.
 
2020 - Bacosides from Bacopa monnieri extract

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE
PERSPECTIVES
In this review article, the authors have tried to collect and summarize
the properties, applications and recent reports on traditional uses,
phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, toxicity, extracts, and
isolated compounds of bacosides and bacopa saponins. Increasing
SOD activity, free radical scavenging, GABA receptors, and levels of
various antioxidant enzymes (that protect the cells from ROS) gives an
insight into the antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties of
bacosides. It is also believed to suppress lipid peroxidation (decreasing
lipid peroxides) and apoptosis by altering the levels of apoptotic biomarkers.
In spite of a lot of papers devoted to the phytochemistry and
pharmacological aspects of the plant, a few noteworthy shortcomings
still exist, which can be resolved.Pharmacological investigations based
on lab-based data are important to confirm traditional applications. It
has made us aware of the properties of bacosides especially
antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antiapoptotic. Though in a few
cases, pharmacological evaluation confirmed the ethnomedicinal
claims scientifically, some of the cases require reconfirmation. However,
we got much less papers that provide evidence of bioactivity
and bioavailability of active constituents. BM has been reported to
contain stigmasterol, betulinic acid, apigenin, luteolin, beta sistosterol,
bacopasaponins A-G, bacosides I-III, III-V, bacosides A1-A3, and
bacoside B, apart from bacoside A, but very few papers read about
the structure, characteristics and biological activities of compounds,
primarily besides bacoside A. Hence, in-depth studies should be done
about all the active compounds in the plant extracts of BM to understand
the qualities that are attributed toward its Ayurvedic usage.
Toxicological studies are another important area of concern that
has not been adequately researched upon. Although some reports
guarantee its safety as a neuroprotective medicine, the toxicity profile
of bacosides and bacopasaponins on patients like children, elderly
people, pregnant and/or lactating women still needs to be investigated
and comprehended. Therefore, consequent application
according to conventional medical practices on patients with an
underlying disease should be done with necessary precautions in
order to avoid herb-medicine interaction.
Future research should focus on advancing analysis, phytochemistry,
pharmacology, and toxicological characterization. In-silico analysis
(transcriptomics and metabolomics) and genomics should be taken
into account since these can educate us about the therapeutic and
biotechnological significance of the genes responsible for the synthesis
of important secondary metabolites. Biosynthesis of bacosides also
offers an opportunity to redesign its metabolic pathways either fully
or partly.
 
2013 - Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri

This review synthesizes behavioral research with neuromolecular mechanisms putatively involved with the lowtoxicity
cognitive enhancing action of Bacopa monnieri (BM), a medicinal Ayurvedic herb. BMis traditionally used for
various ailments, but is best known as a neural tonic and memory enhancer. Numerous animal and in vitro studies
have been conducted, with many evidencing potential medicinal properties. Several randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trials have substantiated BM’s nootropic utility in humans. There is also evidence for potential
attenuation of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. Current evidence suggests BM acts via the following
mechanisms—anti-oxidantneuroprotection(viaredoxandenzymeinduction),acetylcholinesteraseinhibitionand/or
choline acetyltransferase activation, b-amyloid reduction, increased cerebral blood flow, and neurotransmitter
modulation (acetylcholine [ACh], 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT], dopamine [DA]). BM appears to exhibit low
toxicity in model organisms and humans; however, long-term studies of toxicity in humans have yet to be
conducted. This review will integrate molecular neuroscience with behavioral research.
 
2021 - The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement analysis of the available clinical data



Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. has been used in traditional medicine as a drug to enhance and
improve memory. In this regard, this study aims to provide B. monnieri’s efficacy as a neuroprotective
drug and as a nootropic against various neurological diseases. Literatures were collected, following
Prisma guidelines, from databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct
and were scrutinized using a quality scoring system. Means, standard deviations and ‘n’ numbers were
extracted from the metrics and analyzed. Jamovi computer software for Mac was used to carry out
the meta-analysis. The selected studies suggested that the plant extracts were able to show some
improvements in healthy subjects which were determined in Auditory Verbal Learning Task, digit spanreverse
test, inspection time task and working memory, even though it was not significant, as no two
studies found statistically significant changes in the same two tests. B. monnieri was able to express
modest improvements in subjects with memory loss, wherein only a few of the neuropsychological
tests showed statistical significance. B. monnieri in a cocktail with other plant extracts were able to
significantly reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and depression which cannot be solely credited
as the effect of B. monnieri. Although in one study B. monnieri was able to potentiate the beneficial
effects of citalopram; on the whole, currently, there are only limited studies to establish the memoryenhancing
and neuroprotective effects of B. monnieri. More studies have to be done in the future by
comparing the effect with standard drugs, in order to establish these effects clinically in the plant and
corroborate the preclinical data.
 
2017 - Bacopa monnieri extract enhances learning-dependent hippocampal long-term synaptic potentiation

Bacopa monnieri has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a
memory enhancer for a long time; however, its direct effect
on synaptic plasticity has not been investigated. To the best
of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the effect of
B. monnieri on long-term synaptic potentiation in acute
hippocampal slices. Adult male Wistar rats were orally
administered either sterile water or the ethanolic extract of
B. monnieri for 60 days. The extracellular recording was
performed to measure the field excitatory postsynaptic
potential in the acute hippocampal slices of these rats. Our
results showed that B. monnieri extract significantly
increased long-term potentiation magnitude compared with
the control group, whereas there was no change in basal
synaptic transmission. The data support the beneficial
mnemonic effect of B. monnieri, and suggest that this effect
might be because of the increase of learning-associated
synaptic machinery, resulting in the long-term potentiation
enhancement and strengthening of hippocampal synapses,
which plays a critical role in learning and memory
formation.
 
papers used:

2008 - Effects of a Standardized Bacopa monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly.pdf
2011 - The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri.pdf
2013 - Meta-analysisofrandomizedcontrolledtrialsoncognitiveeffects of Bacopa monnieri extract.pdf
2013 - Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri.pdf
2017 - Bacopa monnieri extract enhances learning-dependent hippocampal long-term synaptic potentiation.pdf
2017 - Neurocognitive Effect of Nootropic Drug Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ) in Alzheimer's Disease.pdf
2019 - Bacopa monnieri (L.) wettst. Extract protects against glutamate toxicity and increases the longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans.pdf
2019 - Bacopa monnieri abrogates alcohol abstinence-induced anxiety-like behavior by regulating biochemical and Gabra1, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats.pdf
2019 - Bacopa monnieri, a Neuroprotective Lead in Alzheimer disease.pdf
2019 - Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) An ayurvedic herb against the Alzheimer's disease.pdf
2019 - Neuropharmacological and cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst - A review on its mechanistic aspects.pdf
2019 - Neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Parkinson's disease model.pdf
2020 - Antiepileptic potential of Bacopa monnieri in the rat brain during PTZ induced epilepsy with reference to cholinergic system and ATPases.pdf
2020 - Bacosides from Bacopa monnieri extract.pdf
2020 - Dammarane triterpenoid glycosides in Bacopa monnieri.pdf
2020 - In Vitro Propagation, Phytochemical and Neuropharmacological Profiles of Bacopa monnieri (L.)Wettst. A Review.pdf
2021 - Neuroprotection with Bacopa monnieri-A review of experimental evidence.pdf
2021 - The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement analysis of the available clinical data.pdf
 
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