Abstract
Bacopamonnieri (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 span-reverse 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 memory-enhancing 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.
Highlights
Our literature search found only two studies that investigated the effects of B. monnieri on patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease[86,89]
We found only one clinical study that investigated patients with depression; this study was not a placebo-controlled study[93], rather, it compared patients treated with citalopram (40 mg), to patients treated with B. monnieri (300 mg twice per day) and citalopram (40 mg) for 4 weeks
In the one study that did investigate patients diagnosed with anhedonia there was shown significant improvements in the B. monnieri group compared to citalopram alone in the Hamilton depression rating scale, Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and strength and difficulties questionnaire[93]
Summary
Our literature search found only two studies that investigated the effects of B. monnieri on patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease[86,89]. Literature scoring analysis and the formulations used in the Sadhu et al.[86] study included other herbal extracts, and any positive effects seen in this study cannot be attributed directly to B. monnieri.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
