Bacopa (Bacopa monniera)
BACOPA MONNIERI General Description:
- Botanical Name: Bacopa monnieri (Linn.)
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Common Name: Brahmi
- Part Used: Leaf
In Ayurveda, B. monnieri is categorized as a medhyarasayana, signifying a medicinal plant that revitalizes intellect and memory. B. monnieri is employed as a brain tonic to enhance memory, learning capacity, concentration skills, and to provide relief to individuals experiencing anxiety and epileptic conditions.
Phytochemical Components: The primary constituents of Bacopa monnieri are tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, specifically bacoside A and B, which are a crystalline mixture of several saponins. Among these, bacoside A is the most abundant.
Pharmacological Uses: (The original text does not provide specific details for this section.)
CLINICAL STUDIES:
Anxiolytic Effects: A one-month clinical study involving 35 patients diagnosed with anxiety neurosis demonstrated that the administration of Brahmi syrup (30 mL daily, divided into two doses, equivalent to 12 g of dry crude extract of Bacopa) resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms, the overall level of anxiety, the extent of disability caused by anxiety, and mental fatigue. Furthermore, an improvement in immediate memory span was observed.
Memory and Depression: A recent study evaluated the effects of a standardized Bacopa monniera extract (300 mg/day) on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in older adults. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that included a 6-week placebo run-in period followed by a 12-week treatment period. Participants receiving Bacopa monniera showed improved scores in the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), specifically in delayed word recall memory, compared to the placebo group. They also experienced decreased scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD10), reduced combined state and trait anxiety scores, and a lower heart rate over time when compared to the placebo group. This study provides further evidence supporting the potential of Bacopa monniera to safely enhance cognitive function in the aging population.
Side Effects and Safety: Bacopa monniera has a history of safe therapeutic use in Ayurvedic medicine spanning several centuries. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving healthy male volunteers investigated the safety of pharmacological doses of isolated bacosides over a 4-week period. Concentrated bacosides administered in single doses (20-30 mg) and multiple daily doses (100-200 mg) were well tolerated without any reported adverse effects.
Available Grades:
- 20% Bacosides: Ethanol extracted
- 20% Bacosides: Regular
- 45% Bacosides (UV method of analysis)