Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) is an Ayurvedic herb native to the Indian subcontinent. It is reported to possess memory-enhancing and neuroprotective properties. Additionally, it has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-epileptic and analgesic properties1. Steroidal saponins, Bacosides A and B, are the major active constituents of B. monnieri2.
This article will focus on Bacopa's neuroprotective and memory-boosting properties.
Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by the aggregation of Tau proteins. A preclinical study observed that Bacopa extract exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting Tau aggregation and reducing ROS generation3. In another study, the neuroprotective effect of Bacopa was studied in a Parkinson's disease animal model. Bacopa administration significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β & IL-6) and decreased the level of α-synuclein in the pre-treatment group compared to post and co-treatment group4.
Besides preclinical studies on the effects of Bacopa extract on neurodegenerative disease, various clinical studies are available. In a 90-day interventional, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effect of B. monnieri on the life quality improvement in Parkinson's disease patients was assessed. Bacopa supplementation (450 mg daily) was observed to improve motor outcomes in patients5.
Another 4-week clinical trial investigated the effects of B. monnieri (300 mg twice a day) in anhedonia patients. Bacopa supplementation showed significant improvement in the HAM-D and SHAPS scales6. In a separate 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Bacopa supplementation improved cognitive performance in the elderly compared to placebo. Additionally, depression and anxiety scores were decreased in patients receiving Bacopa supplements7.
Overall, it can be concluded that Bacopa supplements exert a neuroprotective effect, improve cognition and could delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
References:
(1) Rai, K.; Gupta, N.; Dharamdasani, L.; Nair, P.; Bodhankar, P. Bacopa Monnieri: A Wonder Drug Changing Fortune of People. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol 2017, 5 (2), 127–132. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v5i2.16952.
(2) Banerjee, S.; Anand, U.; Ghosh, S.; Ray, D.; Ray, P.; Nandy, S.; Deshmukh, G. D.; Tripathi, V.; Dey, A. Bacosides from Bacopa Monnieri Extract: An Overview of the Effects on Neurological Disorders. Phytotherapy Research. John Wiley and Sons Ltd October 1, 2021, pp 5668–5679. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7203.
(3) Dubey, T.; Kushwaha, P.; Thulasiram, H. V.; Chandrashekar, M.; Chinnathambi, S. Bacopa Monnieri Reduces Tau Aggregation and Tau-Mediated Toxicity in Cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2023, 234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171.
(4) Singh, B.; Pandey, S.; Rumman, M.; Mahdi, A. A. Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa Monnieri in Parkinson's Disease Model. Metab Brain Dis 2020, 35 (3), 517–525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-019-00526-w.
(5) Santos, A. F. dos; Souza, M. M. Q.; Amaral, E. C.; Albuquerque, E. R.; Bortoloti, D. S.; Gasparotto Junior, A.; Lourenço, E. L. B.; Lovato, E. C. W.; Lívero, F. A. dos R. Bacopa Monnieri in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study. J Med Food 2023, 26 (2), 114–119. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2022.0106.
(6) Micheli, L.; Spitoni, S.; Di Cesare Mannelli, L.; Bilia, A. R.; Ghelardini, C.; Pallanti, S. Bacopa Monnieri as Augmentation Therapy in the Treatment of Anhedonia, Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation. Phytotherapy Research 2020, 34 (9), 2331–2340. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6684.
(7) Calabrese, C.; Gregory, W. L.; 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. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008, 14 (6), 707–713. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018.
