Bacopa monniera extract (50% bacosides A & B)

At the end of the trial, there were no significant improvements in the cognitive functioning of the boys who had been given the dummy wafers. But math skills, direct memories, and several subtests of a variation on the IQ tests were all significantly improved in the boys who took the Bacopa supplement.

But later studies have also been performed in adults. One of them focused on people with anxiety disorders - another aspect of cognitive function for which Bacopa is traditionally believed to be helpful. After four weeks of taking a Bacopa syrup, a group of 35 workers with anxiety were found to have improved memory, less anxiety, better social adjustment (as measured by the Asthana-Bell adjustment inventory), and less mental fatigue at work - something measurable in terms of greater work output. The supplement also very slightly lowered their blood pressure, from 117 to 112 millimeters of mercury (on the "top" number of your reading - the systolic blood pressure).

All of these effects were mild, however - probably because of the short duration of the trial. A longer (twelve-week), better-designed study on the brain-boosting powers of Bacopa has given the herb a much stronger endorsement. Australian researchers performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 46 healthy men and women. The whole group took a battery of neuropsychological tests. Then, half of this group took a 300 milligrams of a Bacopa supplement (carefully standardized to contain at least 50% of the two known active markers, bacosides A and B) every day, while the remaining 23 took dummy pills designed to look, smell, taste and weigh the same as the real thing.

The participants were re-tested five weeks later, and again at the twelve week mark. No significant differences between the folks taking the real supplement and those taking the bogus pill were reported after the first five weeks - a fact which might explain why the effects in the four-week syrup study, discussed above, were so mild. But at the end of the twelve-week study, compared to the group taking the placebo pill, men and women supplementing with Bacopa showed significant improvements in cognitive function, processing visual information 15% faster as measured by the inspection time (IT) test, showing a 14% greater rate of learning, a 33% lower rate of forgetting, verbal information, along with a a remarkable 108% better ability to consolidate new information without interference from previously-learned data ("proactive interference") - all detected by Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), still the standard for verbal learning tests.

Few side effects were seen in the study, the most notable being an increase in thirst and urination. And, interestingly, the people taking Bacopa actually suffered fewer headaches than did those getting the dummy pills!

Recent animal studies have given us some exciting clues about the potential neuroprotective effects of this Ayurvedic secret. Bacopa has been shown to protect animals from drug-induced memory losses and the depletion of the key memory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the hippocampus - the seahorse-shaped organ of the brain responsible for sorting new information for storage into memory. It has also been found to increase the synthesis of new protein in the rodent brain. But the most exciting of the recent animal studies shows that Bacopa boosts the brain's production of the key protective antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT). In this, Bacopa is closely paralleling the effects of deprenyl (selegiline), a drug prescribed for Parkinson's disease, which is being taken by many people in the life extension movement because animal studies suggest that it has potent anti-aging effect. Remarkably, however, the effects of Bacopa were shown to be even more broad ranging than those of deprenyl: Bacopa cranked up levels of these enzymes in every tested area of the brain, while deprenyl failed to upregulate these enzymes in the hippocampus.

Bolstering brain function and relieving anxiety, while gearing up the brain's ability to defend itself from free radical assault, Bacopa forges new steel from the carbon of ancient wisdom and the iron of today's neuroscience.

References

i. Abhang R. "Study to evaluate the effect of a micro (suksma) medicine derived from Brahmi (Herpestris monniera) on students of average intelligence." J Res Ayurved Siddha. 1993; 14(1-2): 10-24.

ii. Singh RH, Singh L. "Studies on the anti-anxiety effect of the medyha rasayana drug, Brahmi (Bacopa monniera Wettst)." Part I. J Res Ayurved Siddha. 1980; 1:133-48.

iii. Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers T, Nathan PJ. "The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects." Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Aug; 156(4): 481-4.

iv. Negi KS, Singh YD, Kushwaha KP, Rastogi CK, Rathi AK, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP, Gupta RC, Lucknow G. "Clinical evaluation of memory enhancing properties of Memory Plus in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2000 Apr; 42(2) Supplement

v. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Kumar A, Ghosal S. "Antioxidant activity of Bacopa monniera in rat frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus." Phytother Res. 2000 May; 14(3): 174-9.

vi. 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 Mori A, Satoh T (eds). Emerging Drugs. Vol 1: Molecular Aspects of Asian Medicines. 2001;Westbury, NY: PJD Publications, 21-32.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of ayurvedic antidementia botanical Bacopa monniera.
Phytother Res. 2007 Jun 29;
Dhanasekaran M, Tharakan B, Holcomb LA, Hitt AR, Young KA, Manyam BV.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dementia. Bacopa monniera is described in the Ayurvedic Materia Medica, as a therapeutically useful herb for the treatment of cognitive impairment, thus supporting its possible anti-Alzheimer's properties. Our studies have shown that Bacopa monniera reduces beta-amyloid deposits in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease animal model. The objective of this study was to establish the presence of endogenous substances in Bacopa monniera extract (BmE) that will impact components of the oxidative stress cascade such as the reduction of divalent metals, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, alterations of lipoxygenase activity and hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. The extract contained polyphenols and sulfhydryl contents suggestive of endogenous antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that BmE reduced divalent metals, dose-dependently scavenged reactive oxygen species, decreased the formation of lipid peroxides and inhibited lipoxygenase activity. These data combined with our previous studies that have shown that BmE treatment reduces beta-amyloid levels in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease doubly transgenic mouse model of rapid amyloid deposition (PSAPP mice) suggesting mechanisms of action relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Neuroprotective role of Bacopa monniera extract against aluminium-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat brain.
Neurotoxicology. 2006 Jul;27(4):451-7. Epub 2006 Feb 24.
Jyoti A, Sharma D.

Bacopa monniera is a nerve tonic used extensively in traditional Indian medicinal system "Ayurveda". Reports regarding its various antioxidative, adaptogenic and memory enhancing roles have already appeared in the last few decades. In the present study, aluminium chloride (AlCl(3)) was used to generate neurotoxicity. We have investigated the neuroprotective effect of Bacopa extract against aluminium-induced changes in peroxidative products, such as thio-barbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) and protein carbonyl contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Effect on lipofuscin (age pigments) accumulation and ultrastructural changes were also studied. Bacopa effects were compared with those of l-deprenyl. Co-administration of Bacopa extract during aluminium treatment significantly prevented the aluminium-induced decrease in SOD activity as well as the increased oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Protective effect was also observed at microscopic level. Fluorescence and electron microscopic studies revealed considerable inhibition of intraneuronal lipofuscin accumulation and necrotic alteration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Observations showed that Bacopa's neuroprotective effects were comparable to those of l-deprenyl at both biochemical and microscopic levels.


Cigarette smoking induces heat shock protein 70 kDa expression and apoptosis in rat brain: Modulation by bacoside A.
Neuroscience. 2006;138(4):1127-35. Epub 2006 Feb 10.
Anbarasi K, Kathirvel G, Vani G, Jayaraman G, Shyamala Devi CS.

Cigarette smoking is associated with the development of several diseases and antioxidants play a major role in the prevention of smoking-related diseases. Apoptosis is suggested as a possible contributing factor in the pathogenesis of smoking-induced toxicity. Therefore the present study was designed to investigate the influence of chronic cigarette smoke exposure on apoptosis and the modulatory effect of bacoside A (triterpenoid saponin isolated from the plant Bacopa monniera) on smoking-induced apoptosis in rat brain. Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were exposed to cigarette smoke and simultaneously administered with bacoside A (10 mg/kg b.w./day, orally) for a period of 12 weeks. Expression of brain hsp70 was analyzed by Western blotting. Apoptosis was identified by DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that exposure to cigarette smoke induced hsp70 expression and apoptosis as characterized by DNA laddering, increased TUNEL-positive cells and ultrastructural apoptotic features in the brain. Administration of bacoside A prevented expression of hsp70 and neuronal apoptosis during cigarette smoking. We speculate that apoptosis may be responsible for the smoking-induced brain damage and bacoside A can protect the brain from the toxic effects of cigarette smoking.


Study to evaluate the effect of a micro (suksma) medicine derived from Brahmi (Herpestris monierra) on students of average intelligence.
J Res Ayurved Siddha. 1993; 14(1-2): 10-24.
Abhang R.

A double-blind controlled study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a micro (suksma) medicine derived from Brahmi (Herpestris monniera) by 9 months treatment on 110 boy-students in the age range of 10-13 years and having average IQ (100). Various factors of intelligence were measured before and after treatment. Mean differences in post-testing and pre-testing IQ scores in the experimental group were statistically significant as compared to the control group on the following IQ tests: Memory (Direct) test, Arithmatic test and 4 subtests of Budhimapana test. The result is interesting since in previous studies Ayurvedic medhya rasayanas were not found effective in enhancing intelligence of average students. Long-term studies may prove still more fruitful.


The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2001 Aug;156(4):481-4
Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers T, Nathan PJ.

RATIONALE: Extracts of Bacopa monniera have been reported to exert cognitive enhancing effects in animals. However, the effects on human cognition are inconclusive.
OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the chronic effects of an extract of B. monniera (Keenmind) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.
METHODS: The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled independent-group design in which subjects were randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions, B. monniera (300 mg) or placebo. Neuropsychological testing was conducted pre-(baseline) and at 5 and 12 weeks post drug administration.
RESULTS: B. monniera significantly improved speed of visual information processing measured by the IT task, learning rate and memory consolidation measured by the AVLT (P<0.05), and state anxiety (P<0.001)compared to placebo, with maximal effects evident after 12 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that B. monniera may improve higher order cognitive processes that are critically dependent on the input of information from our environment such as learning and memory.


Clinical evaluation of memory enhancing properties of Memory Plus in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2000 Apr; 42(2) Supplement
Negi KS, Singh YD, Kushwaha KP, Rastogi CK, Rathi AK, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP, Gupta RC, Lucknow G.

Memory Plus consists of standardised extract (active constituent identified as Bacosides A & B) from the plant Bacopa monniera, commonly known as Brahmi. Bacosides have undergone extensive pharmacological and toxicity evaluation at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. They facilitate acquisition, consolidation and retention of newly acquired behavioural responses in animal models. The safety and tolerability studies in healthy volunteers have shown them to be safe after single and multiple dose administration. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the memory enhancing properties of Memory Plus in children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this trial a double blind randomised placebo controlled design was employed. The treatment was assigned to each patient as per random allocation (Memory Plus or placebo). A total of 36 patients were selected as per DSM-IV criteria of ADHD. Of these, 19 patients received Memory Plus (50 mg bd x 12 weeks) and 17 were given placebo. The active drug treatment was followed by a 4 week placebo administration, making the total duration of the trial 16 week in both groups. One patient in the Memory Plus group and 6 in the placebo group dropped out. The mean age was 8.3 years and 9.3 years in Memory Plus and placebo group respectively. The male to female ratio was 5 : 1 in Memory Plus group and 3 : 1 in placebo group. The children were evaluated on a battery of tests (personal information, mental control, sentence repetition, logical memory, word recall (meaningful), digit span test, world recall (non-meaningful), delayed response learning, picture recall and paired associate learning) before (0-day), during drug administration (+4, +8 and +12 weeks) and at the end of the study (+16 weeks). The data analysis has revealed a significant improvement on sentence repetiton, logical memory and paired associate learning following 12 weeks administration of Memory Plus. This improvement was maintained as 16 weeks evaluation conducted after 4 weeks withdrawal of Memory Plus. During the clinical trial Memory Plus has shown excellent tolerability and no drug related adverse effects were reported.


Antioxidant activity of Bacopa monniera in rat frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus.
Phytother Res 2000 May; 14(3): 174-9
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Kumar A, Ghosal S.

The effect of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera Linn. was assessed on rat brain frontal cortical, striatal and hippocampal superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, following administration for 7, 14 or 21 days. The effects induced by this extract (bacoside A content 82% +/- 0.5%), administered in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, orally, were compared with the effects induced by (-) deprenyl (2 mg/kg, p. o.) administered for the same time periods. Bacopa monniera (BM) induced a dose-related increase in SOD, CAT and GPX activities, in all the brain regions investigated, after 14 and 21 days of drug administration. On the contrary, deprenyl induced an increase in SOD, CAT and GPX activities in the frontal cortex and striatum, but not in the hippocampus, after treatment for 14 or 21 days. The results suggest that BM, like deprenyl, exhibits a significant antioxidant effect after subchronic administration which, unlike the latter, extends to the hippocampus as well. The results suggest that the increase in oxidative free radical scavenging activity by BM may explain, at least in part, the cognition- facilitating action of BM, recorded in Ayurvedic texts, and demonstrated experimentally and clinically. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.