A review on Bacopa monniera: Current research and future prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22377/ijgp.v4i1.111Abstract
In recent times, the use of herbal products has increased tremendously in the western world as well as in developed countries. Lately, one of the outstandingly important medicinal plants, widely used therapeutically in the orient and becoming increasingly popular in the west is Bacopa monniera, a well-known nootropic. The present review summarizes our current knowledge of pharmacological actions, preclinical and clinical studies, major bioactives, reported mechanisms of actions, clinical efficacy, safety and the possibility of interactions of the herb with the conventional drugs. Simultaneously, research updates as well as avenues for further research arealso mentioned concerning the plant.
Key words: Bacopa monniera, neurotonics, clinical studies, herb-drug interactions, preclinical studies
Downloads
References
Sparreboom A, Cox MC, Acharya MR, Figg WD. Herbal remedies
in the United States: potential adverse interactions with anticancer
agents. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:2489-503.
Husain GM, Mishra D, Singh PN, Rao ChV, Kumar V.
Ethnopharmacological review of native traditional medicinal
plants for brain disorders. Pharmacog Rev 2007;1:20-8.
Mukheijee DG, Dey CD. Clinical trial on Brahmi. Int J Exp Med
Sci 1966;10:5-11.
Chopra RN. Indigenous Drugs of India. 2nd ed. Calcutta, India:
U.N. Dhur and Sons; 1958. p. 341.
Nadkarni KM. The Indian Materia Medica. Columbia, MO: South
Asia Books; 1988. p. 624-25.
Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants, part II. Allahabad:
Indian Press; 1918. p. 930-1.
Russo A, Borrelli F. Bacopa monniera, a reputed nootropic plant: an
overview. Phytomed 2005;12:305-17.
Satyavati GV, Raina MK, Sharma M. Medicinal Plants of India. Vol
New Delhi: Ind Council Med Res; 1976. p. 112-8.
Bose KC, Bose NK. Observations on the actions and uses of
Herpestis monniera. J Ind Med Assoc 1931;1:60.
Chopra RN, Nayar L, Chopra IC. Glossary of Indian Medicinal
Plants, vol. 32. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New
Delhi: 1956.
Shastri MS, Dhalla NS, Malhotra CL. Chemical investigation of
Herpestis monniera Linn (Brahmi). Ind J Pharmacol 1959;21:303-4.
Chatterji N, Rastogi RP, Dhar ML. Chemical examination of Bacopa
monniera Wettst: part II -isolation of chemical constituents. Ind J
Chem 1965;3:24-9.
Rastogi RP. Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol 1. New
Delhi: CSIR; 1990. p. 118-22.
Kulshreshtha DK, Rastogi P, Bacogenin A1: a novel dammerane
triterpene sapogenin from Bacopa monniera. Phytochem
;12:887-92.
Kulshreshtha DK, Rastogi RP. Bacogenin A2: a new sapogenin
from bacosides. Phytochem 1973;13:1205-6.
Chandel RS, Kulshreshtha DK, Rastogi RP. Bacogenin A3: a new
sapogenin from Bacopa monniera. Phytochem 1977;16:141-3.
Rastogi S, Pal R, Kulshreshtha DK. Bacoside A3-a triterpenoid
saponin from Bacopa monniera. Phytochem 1994;36:133-7.
Garay S, Mahato SB, Ohtani K, Yamasaki K. Dammaranetype
triterpenoid saponins from Bacopa monniera. Phytochem
;42:815-20.
Chakravarty AK, Sarkar T, Masuda K, Shiojima K, Nakane
T, Kawahara N. Bacopa side I and II: two pseudojujubogenin
glycosides from Bacopa monniera. Phytochem 2001;58:553-6.
Chakravarty AK, Garai S, Masuda K, Nakane T, Kawahara, N.
Bacopasides III-V: three new triterpenoid glycosides from Bacopa
monniera. Chem Pharm Bull 2003;51:215-7.
Chakravarty AK, Sarkar T, Nakane T, Kawahara N, Masuda K.
New phenylethanoid glycosides from Bacopa monniera. Chem
Pharm Bull 2002;50:1616-8.
Hou CC, Lin SJ, Cheng JT, Hsu FL. Bacopaside III, bacopasaponin
G, and bacopasides A, B, and C from Bacopa monniera. J Nat Prod
;65:1759-63.
Deepak M. The need for establishing identities of `bacoside A and
B? The putative major bioactive saponins of Indian medicinal plant.
Phytomed 2003;11:264-8.
Singh HK, Rastogi RP, Srimal RC, Dhawan BN. Effect of bacosides
A and B on avoidance responses in rats. Phytother Res 1988;2:70-5.
Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Neuropsychopharmacological effects
of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa monniera Linn. (Brahmi). Ind J
Pharmacol 1997;29:S359-S65.
Malhotra CK, Das PK. Pharmacological studies of Herpestis
monniera Linn (Brahmi). Ind J Med Res 1959;47:294-305.
Aithal HN, Sirsi M. Pharmacological investigation on Herpestis
monniera. Ind J Pharmacy 1961;23:2-5.
Prakash JC, Sirsi M. Comparative study of the effects of brahmi
(Bacopa monniera) and chlorpromazine on learning in rats. J Sci
Indust Res 1962;21:93-6.
Sinha MM. Some empirical behavioural data indicative of
concomitant biochemical reactions. Proceeds Ind. Sci. Congress
Part II, Bangalore: 1971. p. 1-26.
Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S. Effect of Bacopa monniera
on animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and perturbed central
cholinergic markers of cognition in rats. In: DV Siva Sankar,
editors. Molecular Aspects of Asian Medicines. New York: PJD
Publications; 1999. p. 27-58.
Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Effect of Bacopa monnieri Linn. (Brahmi)
extract on avoidance responses in rat. J Ethnopharmacol
;5:205-8.
Singh HK, Rastogi RP, Srimal RC, Dhawan BN. Effect of bacosides
A and B on avoidance responses in rats. Phytother Res 1988;2:70-5.
Sairam K, Rao CV, Babu MD, Goel RK. Prophylactic and curative
effects of Bacopa monniera in gastric ulcer models. Phytomed
;8:423-30.
Bhattacharya SK, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic activity of a standardized
extract of Bacopa monniera: an experimental study. Phytomed
;5:77-82.
Shankar G, Singh HK. Anxiolytic profile of standardized brahmi
extract. Ind J Pharmacol 2000;32:152.
Sairam K, Dorababu M, Goel RK, Bhattacharya SK. Antidepressant
activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in experimental
models of depression in rats. Phytomed 2002;9:207-11.
Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Pharmacotherapy of acute anxiety.
In: Bloom FE, Kupfer DJ. editors. Psycopharmacology: Fourth
generation of progress. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p. 1341-8.
Shanmugasundaram ER Akbar GK, Shanmugasundaram B,
Rahmighritham KR. An Ayurvedic herbal formula for the control
of epilepsy. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;33:269-76.
Martis G, Rao A, Karanth KS. Neuropharmacological activity of
Herpestis monniera. Fitoterapia 1992;63:399-404.
Ganguly DK, Malhotra CL. Some behavioural effects of an active
fraction from Herpestis monniera, Linn. (Brahmi). Ind J Med Res
;55:473-82.
Singh S, Eapen S, D’Souza SF. Cadmium accumulation and its
influence on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system in an
aquatic plant, Bacopa monnieri L. Chemosphere 2006;62:233-46.
Bafna PA, Balaraman R. Antioxidant activity of DHC-1, an herbal
formulation, in experimentally-induced cardiac and renal damage.
Phytother Res 2005;19:216-21.
Sumathy T, Govindasamy S, Balakrishna K, Veluchamy G.
Protective role of Bacopa monniera on morphine-induced brain
mitochondrial enzyme activity in rats. Fitoterapia 2002;73:381-5.
Pawar R, Gopalakrishnan C, Bhutani KK. Dammarane triterpene
saponin from Bacopa monniera as the superoxide inhibitor in
polymorphonuclear cells. Planta Med 2001;67:752-4.
Tripathi YB, Chaurasia S, Tripathi E, Upadhyay A, Dubey GP.
Bacopa monniera Linn. as an antioxidant: mechanism of action. Ind
J Exp Biol 1996;34:523-6.
Kapoor KR, Srivastava SS, Kakkar P. Bacopa monnieri modulates
antioxidant responses in brain and kidney of diabetic rats. Environ
Toxicol Pharmacol 2008. [In Press].
Bhakuni DS, Dhar ML, Dhar MM, Dhawan BN, Mehrotra BN.
Screening of Indian plants for biological activity: Part II. Ind J
Exp Biol 1969;7:250-62.
Singh HK, Shanker G, Patnaik GK. Neuropharmacological
and anti-stress effects of bacosides: a memory enhancer. Ind J
Pharmacol 1996;28:47.
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Kumar A, Ghosal S. Antioxidant
activity of Bacopa monniera in rat frontal cortex, striatum, and
hippocampus. Phytother Res 2000;14:174-9.
Govindarajan R, Vijayakumar M, Pushpangadan P. Antioxidant
approach to disease management and the role of ‘Rasayana’ herbs.
Ayur J Ethnopharmacol 2005;99:165-78.
Chowdhuri DK, Parmar D, Kakkar P, Shukla R, Seth PK, Srimal
RC. Antistress effects of bacosides of Bacopa monnieri: modulation
of Hsp70 expression, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome P450
activity in rat brain. Phytother Res 2002;16:639-45.
Rohini, G, Sabitha, KE., Devi, CS. Bacopa monniera Linn. extract
modulates antioxidant and marker enzyme status in fibrosarcoma
bearing rats. Ind J Exp Biol 2004;42:776-80.
Seiss H. Strategies of antioxidant defence. Eur J Biochem
;215:213-9.
Rai D, Bhatia G, Palit G, Pal R, Singh S, Singh H. Adaptogenic
effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi). Pharmacol Biochem Behav
;75:823-30.
Jyoti A, Sharma D. Neuroprotective role of Bacopa monniera extract
against aluminium-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus
of rat brain. Neurotoxicol 2006;27:451-7.
Vijayan VA, Helen A. Protective activity of Bacopa monniera Linn.
On nicotine-induced toxicity in mice. Phytother Res 2007;21:378-81.
Holcomb LA, Dhanasekaran M, Hitt AR, Young KA, Riggs M,
Manyam BV. Bacopa monniera extract reduces amyloid levels in
PSAPP mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2006;9:243-51.
Anbarasi K, Vani G, Balakrishna K, Devi CS. Effect of bacoside A
on brain antioxidant status in cigarette smoke exposed rats. Life
Sci 2006;78:1378-84.
Aloe A, Alleve E, Fiore M. Stress and nerve growth factor findings
in animal models and humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav
;73:159-66.
Dar A, Channa S. Relaxant effect of ethanol extract of Bacopa
monniera on trachea, pulmonary artery and aorta from rabbit and
guinea-pig. Phytother Res 1997;11:323-5.
Dar A, Channa S. Calcium antagonistic activity of Bacopa monniera
on vascular and intestinal smooth muscles of rabbit and guineapig.
J Ethnopharmacol 1999;66:167-74.
Dorababu M, Prabha,T, Priyambada S, Agrawal VK, Aryya NC,
Goel RK. Effect of Bacopa monniera and Azadirachta indica on gastric
ulceration and healing in experimental NIDDM rats. Ind J Exp
Biol 2004;42:389-97.
Jain P, Khanna NK, Trehan T, Pendse VK, Godhwani JL. Antiinflammatory
effects of an Ayurvedic preparation, Brahmi
Rasayan, in rodents. Ind J Exp Biol 1994;32:633-6.
Rao CH, Sairam K, Goel RK. Experimental evaluation of Bacopa
monniera on rat gastric ulceration and secretion. Ind J Physiol
Pharmacol 2000;44:435-41.
Dharmani P, Palit G. Exploring Indian medicinal plants for
antiulcer activity. Ind J Pharmacol 2006;38:95-9.
Goel RK, Sairam K. Anti ulcer drugs from indigenous sources with
emphasis on Musa sapientum, tamrabhasma, Asparagus racemosus
and zinzibar officinale. Ind J Pharmacol 2002;34:100-10.
Sairam K, Rao CV, Babu MD, Goel RK. Prophylactic and curative
effects of Bacopa monniera in gastric ulcer models. Phytomed
;8:423-30.
Goel RK, Sairam K, Babu MD, Tavares IA, Raman A. In vitro
evaluation of Bacopa monniera on anti- Helicobacter pylori activity
and accumulation of prostaglandins. Phytomed 2003;10:523-7.
Russo A, Borrelli F, Campisi A, Acquaviva R, Raciti G, Vanella A.
Nitric oxide-related toxicity in cultured astrocytes: Effect of Bacopa
monniera. Life Sci 2003;73:1517-26.
Russo A, Izzo AA, Borrelli F, Renis M, Vanella A. Free radical
scavenging capacity and protective effect of Bacopa monniera L.
on DNA damage. Phytother Res 2003;17:870-5.
Elangovan V, Govindasamy S, Ramamoorthy N, Balasubramaanian
K. In vitro studies on the anticancer activity of Bacopa monnieri.
Fitoterapia 1995;66:211-5.
Kar A, Panda S, Bharti S. Relative efficacy of three medicinal plant
extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in
male mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;81:281-5.
Channa S, Dar A, Anjum S, Yaqoob M, Rahman A. Antiinflammatory
activity of Bacopa monniera in rodents. J
Ethnopharmacol 2006;104:286-9.
Channa S, Dar A, Yaqoob M, Anjum S, Sultani Z, Rahman A.
Bronchovasodilatory activity of fractions and pure constituents
isolated from Bacopa monniera. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;86:27-35.
Samiulla DS, Prashanth D, Amit A. Mast cell stabilizing activity
of Bacopa monnieri. Fitoterapia 2001;72:284-5.
Roodenrys A, Booth D, Bulzomi A, Phipps A, Micallef C, Smoker
J. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory.
Neuropsychopharmacol 2002;27:279-81.
Nathan PJ, Clarke J, Lloyd J, Hutchison CW, Downey L,
Stough C. The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera
(Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjects. Hum
Psychopharmacol 2001;16:345-51.
Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers
T, et al. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi)
on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacol
;156:481-4.
Sharma R, Chaturvedi C, Tewari PV. Efficacy of Bacopa monnieri
in revitalizing intellectual functions in children. J Res Edu Ind
Med 1987;1:1-12.
Negi KS, Singh YD, Kushwaha KP, Rastogi CK, Rathi AK,
Srivastava JS, et al. Clinical evaluation of memory enhancing
properties of Memory Plus in children with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. Ind J Psychiatry 2000;42:Supplement.
Raghav S, Singh RS, Dalal H, Srivastava PK, Asthana JS.
Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera
extract in age-associated memory impairment. Ind J Psychiatry
;48:238-42.
Singh RH, Singh L. Studies on the anti-anxiety effect of the Medyha
Rasayana drug, Brahmi (Bacopa monniera Wettst.) – Part 1. J Res
Ayur Siddha 1980;1:133-
Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K,
Oken B. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on
cognitive Performance, anxiety, and depression in the Elderly: A
randomized, double-Blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Alt Comp
Med 2008;14:707-13.
Yadav SK, Jain AK, Tripathi SN, Gupta JP. Irritable bowel
syndrome: therapeutic evaluation of indigenous drugs. Ind J Med
Res 1989;90:496-503.
No author listed. Bacopa Monniera. Monograph. Alt Med Rev
;9:79-85.
Sumathy T, Subramanian S, Govindasamy S, Balakrishna K,
Veluchamy G. Protective role of Bacopa monniera on morphine
induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Phytother Res 2001;15:643-5.
Smith DB. Cognitive effects of anti-epileptic drugs. Adv Neurol
;55:197-212.
Vohora D, Pal SN, Pillai KK. Protection from phenytoin-induced
cognitive deficit by Bacopa monniera, a reputed Indian nootropic
plant. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;71:383-90.
Brinker F. Updates and additions for herb contradictions and drug
interactions. 3rd ed. 2008. [last accessed on 2008 Dec 30].
Sumathi T, Nayeem M, Balakrishna K, Veluchamy G, Devaraj SN.
Alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera reduces the in vitro effects
of morphine withdrawal in guinea pig ileum. J Ethnopharmacol
;82:75-81.
Khan R, Krishnakumar A, Paulose CS. Decreased glutamate
receptor binding and NMDA R1 gene expression in hippocampus
of pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats: Neuroprotective role of
Bacopa monnieri extract. Epilepsy and Behav 2008;12:54-60.
Hota SK, Barhwal K, Baitharu I, Prasad D, Singh S, Ilavazhagan
G. Bacopa monniera leaf extract ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia
induced spatial memory impairment. Neurobiology of Disease
;34:23-39.
Singh A, Singh SK. Evaluation of antifertality potential of brahmi
in male mouse. Contraception 2009;79:71-9.
Prasad S, Kashyap RS, Deopujari JY, Purohit HJ, Taori GM,
Daginawala HF. Effect of Fagonia Arabica (Dhamasa) on in vitro
thrombolysis. BMC Compl Alt Med 2007;7:36.
Izzo AA, Ernst E. Interactions between herbal medicines and
prescribed drugs: A systematic review. Drugs 2001;61:2163-75.
Gohil KJ, Patel JA. Herb-drug interactions: A review and study
based on assessment of clinical case reports in literature. Ind J
Pharmacol 2007;39:129-
of morphine withdrawal in guinea pig ileum. J Ethnopharmacol
;82:75-81.
Khan R, Krishnakumar A, Paulose CS. Decreased glutamate
receptor binding and NMDA R1 gene expression in hippocampus
of pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats: Neuroprotective role of
Bacopa monnieri extract. Epilepsy and Behav 2008;12:54-60.
Hota SK, Barhwal K, Baitharu I, Prasad D, Singh S, Ilavazhagan
G. Bacopa monniera leaf extract ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia
induced spatial memory impairment. Neurobiology of Disease
;34:23-39.
Singh A, Singh SK. Evaluation of antifertality potential of brahmi
in male mouse. Contraception 2009;79:71-9.
Prasad S, Kashyap RS, Deopujari JY, Purohit HJ, Taori GM,
Daginawala HF. Effect of Fagonia Arabica (Dhamasa) on in vitro
thrombolysis. BMC Compl Alt Med 2007;7:36.
Izzo AA, Ernst E. Interactions between herbal medicines and
prescribed drugs: A systematic review. Drugs 2001;61:2163-75.
Gohil KJ, Patel JA. Herb-drug interactions: A review and study
based on assessment of clinical case reports in literature. Ind J
Pharmacol 2007;39:129-39.
