Standardized Extract Of Bacopa Monniera Research Articles

Effect of Bacopa monniera on the Level of Cortisol Hormone in Forced Cold Water Swim Stress Induced Wistar Albino Rats

The human brain remains a mystery even after years of research into the biological processes underlying its specific actions. In recent years, researchers have identified several natural compounds that could potentially help to retard mental deterioration. Extracts of Bacopa monniera, a traditional ayurvedic medicine, have been reported to have memory-enhancing effects in animals. However, there are no studies on bp in cold stress induced neuronal changes in hippocampus have been explored. The current study examined the effects of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera, on Wistar rats. We divided the animals into 4 groups. Group I was control in which rats were kept under ideal laboratory conditions, Group II was given cold water swim stress for a period of one month after which the rats were sacrificed for histological studies to study the changes in the hippocampus caused by cold stress, Group III in which cold water swim stress given for a month followed by oral administration of normal saline as vehicle for a month, Group IV in which cold water swim stress given for a month followed by oral administration of Bacopa monniera, extracts 40mg/kg treatment for a month. Group V in which cold water swim stress given for a month followed by oral administration of Bacopa monniera, extracts 80mg/kg treatment for a month. After the treatment period blood was collected and cortisol assay was done. The data were compared with those of control rats. The results showed an increase in the cortisol level in the stressed group of rats when compared to the treatment group. These results indicate that oral administration of Bacopa monniera, extract improves the cortisol level and helps in controlling the stress in rats.

In vitro effects of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera and its five individual active constituents on human P-glycoprotein activity

1. For centuries Bacopa monniera (BM) has been used as an herbal drug for the treatment of various mental ailments. A chemically standardized alcoholic extract of BM is clinically available over the counter herbal remedy for memory enhancement in children and adults. Consumption of herbal preparations has been reported to alter the function of membrane transporters, especially P-glycoprotein (P-gp), ATP-dependent drug efflux transporter responsible for the development of herb–drug interactions.2. In the present study, we evaluated the in vitro effect of BM extract and its five individual active constituents (namely, bacopaside I, bacopaside II and bacopasaponin C, bacoside A and bacoside A3) on P-gp function using luminescent P-gp ATPase assay and Rh123 transport assay across human MDR1 gene transfected LLC-GA5-COL150 cell line.3. It was observed that BM extract and its five individual constituents inhibited both basal activity as well as verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, suggesting their affinity towards P-gp. Further, BM and its five active constituents inhibited the rhodamine 123 (Rh123) transport across LLC-GA5-COL150 cell monolayer with bacopaside II being the most potent inhibitor of P-gp, which decreased P-gp efflux ratio of Rh123 by fourfold in comparison to control.4. Our finding may prove beneficial in predicting the potential herb–drug interactions of BM on concomitant medication with P-gp substrate drugs in clinical settings.

Bacopa monniera ameliorates cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration induced by intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin in rat: behavioral, biochemical, immunohistochemical and histopathological evidences.

The standardized extract of Bacopa monniera (BM) is a complex mixture of ingredients with a uniquely wide spectrum of neuropharmacological influences upon the central nervous system including enhanced learning and memory with known antioxidant potential and protection of the brain from oxidative damage. The present study demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of BM on cognitive impairment and oxidative damage, induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) in rat models. Male Wistar rats were pre-treated with BM at a selected dose (30 mg/Kg) given orally for 2 weeks and then were injected bilaterally with ICV-STZ (3 mg/Kg), while sham operated rats were received the same volume of vehicle. Behavioral parameters were subsequently monitored 2 weeks after the surgery using the Morris water maze (MWM) navigation task then were sacrificed for biochemical, immunohistochemical (Cu/Zn-SOD) and histopathological assays. ICV-STZ-infused rats showed significant loss in learning and memory ability, which were significantly improved by BM supplementation. A significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive species and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione, antioxidant enzymes in the hippocampus were observed in ICV-STZ rats. Moreover, decrease in Cu/Zn-SOD expression positive cells were observed in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ rats. BM supplementation significantly ameliorated all alterations induced by ICV-STZ in rats. The data suggest that ICV-STZ might cause its neurotoxic effects via the production of free radicals. Our study demonstrates that BM is a powerful antioxidant which prevents cognitive impairment, oxidative damage, and morphological changes in the ICV-STZ-infused rats. Thus, BM may have therapeutic value for the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of the standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in a paraquat/diquat-mediated acute toxicity

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common age related neurodegenerative disease and affects millions of people worldwide. Strong evidence suggests a role for oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of PD. Recent epidemiologic and toxicological studies have shown that environmental factors, especially herbicides such as paraquat and diquat represent one of the primary classes of neurotoxic agents associated with PD. The objective of our study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of the standardized extract of Bacopa monniera (BM) against paraquat/diquat-induced toxicity and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this protection. Our results showed that a pre-treatment with the BM extract, from 20.0μg/ml, protected the rat dopaminergic PC12 cell line against paraquat/diquat-induced toxicity in various cell survival assays. We demonstrated that BM pre-treatment, from 5.0μg/ml, could prevent the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased mitochondrial superoxide levels and depolarized the mitochondria. BM pre-treatment also increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels and antioxidant defense systems such as γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) and thioredoxin1 (Trx1) levels. Furthermore, BM pre-treatment prevented the activation of Akt and heat shock protein90 (HSP90) proteins. Thus, our findings demonstrated that BM can protect PC12 cells through modulating cellular redox pathways which are altered in PD and could have a therapeutic application in the prevention of PD.

Attenuation of 1-(m-Chlorophenyl)-Biguanide Induced Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Impairment by a Standardised Extract of Bacopa monniera (BESEB CDRI-08)

Bacopa monniera is a well-known medhya-rasayana (memory enhancing and rejuvenating) plant in Indian traditional medical system of Ayurveda. The effect of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera (BESEB CDRI-08) on serotonergic receptors and its influence on other neurotransmitters during hippocampal-dependent learning was evaluated in the present study. Wistar rat pups received a single dose of BESEB CDRI-08 during postnatal days 15-29 showed higher latency during hippocampal-dependent learning accompanied with enhanced 5HT(3A) receptor expression, serotonin and acetylcholine levels in hippocampus. Furthermore, 5HT(3A) receptor agonist 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide (mCPBG) impaired learning in the passive avoidance task followed by reduction of 5HT(3A) receptor expression, 5HT and ACh levels. Administration of BESEB CDRI-08 along with mCPBG attenuated mCPBG induced behavioral, molecular and neurochemical alterations. Our results suggest that BESEB CDRI-08 possibly acts on serotonergic system, which in turn influences the cholinergic system through 5-HT(3) receptor to improve the hippocampal-dependent task.

Enhanced dendritic arborization of amygdala neurons during growth spurt periods in rats orally intubated with Bacopa monniera extract

Bacopa monniera (BM)--a small, creeping herb-has been classified under Medhya rasayana (medicinal plants rejuvenating intellect and memory) in the ancient Indian system of medicine, viz., Ayurveda. Therefore, this plant has been investigated in several laboratories in India for its neuropharmacological effects. Here, we investigated the role of BM standardized extract on the dendritic morphology of amygdaloid neurons-one of the regions concerned with learning and memory. The rat pups (10 days old) were fed standardized extract of BM (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. After the treatment period, the rats were killed by decapitation, the brains were removed and amygdaloid neurons were impregnated with silver nitrate (Golgi staining). Amygdaloid neurons were traced using camera lucida. Dendritic branching points (a measure of dendritic arborization) and dendritic intersections (a measure of dendritic length) were quantified. These data were compared with control rats. The results showed a significant increase in dendritic length and dendritic branching points along the length of dendrites of the amygdaloid neurons of rats treated with all doses of BM for longer periods of time (i.e., 4 and 6 weeks). We conclude that constituents present in BM extract have neuronal dendritic growth stimulating properties.

Enhancement of basolateral amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization following Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats

OBJECTIVE:In the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Bacopa monniera is classified as Medhya rasayana, which includes medicinal plants that rejuvenate intellect and memory. Here, we investigated the effect of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera on the dendritic morphology of neurons in the basolateral amygdala, a region that is concerned with learning and memory.METHODS:The present study was conducted on 2½-month-old Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 2-, 4- and 6-week treatment groups. Rats in each of these groups were further divided into 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg dose groups (n = 8 for each dose). After the treatment period, treated rats and age-matched control rats were subjected to spatial learning (T-maze) and passive avoidance tests. Subsequently, these rats were killed by decapitation, the brains were removed, and the amygdaloid neurons were impregnated with silver nitrate (Golgi staining). Basolateral amygdaloid neurons were traced using camera lucida, and dendritic branching points (a measure of dendritic arborization) and dendritic intersections (a measure of dendritic length) were quantified. These data were compared with the data from the age-matched control rats.RESULTS:The results showed an improvement in spatial learning performance and enhanced memory retention in rats treated with Bacopa monniera extract. Furthermore, a significant increase in dendritic length and the number of dendritic branching points was observed along the length of the dendrites of the basolateral amygdaloid neurons of rats treated with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of Bacopa monniera (BM) for longer periods of time (i.e., 4 and 6 weeks).CONCLUSION:We conclude that constituents present in Bacopa monniera extract have neuronal dendritic growth-stimulating properties.

Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi)

As stress is linked to many diseases, research on an effective antistress agent (adaptogen) from plants has gained importance. We report the investigations on the adaptogenic property of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera against acute (AS) and chronic stress (CS) models in rats. Panax root powder ( Panax quinquefolium) was taken as a standard. Male SD rats, weighing 180–200 g, exposed to immobilization stress for 150 min once only for AS and for seven consecutive days in CS, were fed with B. monniera or Panax root powder daily for 3 days in AS and for 7 days in CS, 45 min prior to each exposure of stress. Rats were sacrificed immediately after stress, the blood was collected, and the plasma was separated out for biochemical estimation. Adrenals, spleen, and thymus were dissected for organ weight and stomach for ulcer score. AS exposure significantly increased the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, plasma glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK) but significantly decreased the spleen weight. Pretreatment with B. monniera at 40 mg/kg po significantly reduced the AS-induced increase in the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, plasma glucose, AST, and CK. A dose of 80 mg/kg po significantly reversed the AS-induced changes in adrenal gland weight, spleen weight, plasma glucose, ALT, and AST. Panax root powder, 100 mg/kg po, significantly reversed the AS-induced changes in spleen weight, plasma ALT, AST, and CK. CS exposure resulted in a significant increase in the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, plasma AST, and CK with a significant decrease in the thymus and spleen weight, plasma triglyceride, and cholesterol. Pretreatment with low dose of B. monniera extract at 40 mg/kg significantly reversed changes in ulcer index and plasma AST only, whereas the pretreatment with higher dose significantly reversed CS-induced changes in ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, CK, and AST. Panax root powder significantly reversed CS-induced increase in ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, CK, and AST. On the basis of our result, it is concluded that the standardized extract of B. monniera possesses a potent adaptogenic activity.

In vitro evaluation of Bacopa monniera on anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and accumulation of prostaglandins.

Bacopa monniera is an Indian tratidional medicine widely used to improve intellectual functions. Earlier, we had reported the prophylactic and curative effects of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera (BME) in various gastric ulcer models. The effect was due to augmentation of the defensive mucosal factors like increase in mucin secretion, life span of mucosal cells and gastric antioxidant effect rather than on the offensive acid-pepsin secretion. The present study includes evaluation of standardized BME (bacoside A content--35.5 +/- 0.9) on other contributing factors towards ulcerogenesis. BME in the dose of 1000 microg/ml showed anti-Helicobacter pylori activity in vitrol and in the dose of 10 microg/ml increased in vitro of prostanoids (PGE and PGI2) in human colonic mucosal incubates. It may be concluded that these factors may contribute to antiulcerogenic activity of BME.

Antidepressant activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in experimental models of depression in rats.

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Scrophulariaceae) is a commonly used Ayurvedic drug for mental disorders. The standardized extract was reported earlier to have significant anti-oxidant effect, anxiolytic activity and improve memory retention in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, the standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (bacoside A - 38.0+/-0.9) was investigated for potential antidepressant activity in rodent models of depression. The effect was compared with the standard antidepressant drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip). The extract when given in the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg, orally once daily for 5 days was found to have significant antidepressant activity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression and was comparable to that of imipramine.

Anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera: an experimental study

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Hindi - Brahmi) is classified in Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine, as Medhyarasayana, a group of plant derived drugs used as nervine tonics to promote mental health and improve memory and intellect. Earlier experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the memory-promoting action of the plant extracts and that of its active saponins, bacoside A and B. The present study was designed to investigate the anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract (bacoside A content 25.5 ± 0.8%) of B. monniera (BM), since the plant is used in Ayurveda in clinical conditions resembling the modern concept of anxiety disorders. The animal models used have been extensively validated as experimental models of anxiety and included the open-field, elevated plusmaze, social interaction and novelty-suppressed feeding latency tests in rats. BM was used at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o. and the results were compared with those elicited by lorazepam, a well known benzodiazepine anxiolytic, used at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, i.p. BM produced a dose-related anxiolytic activity, qualitatively comparable to that of lorazepam, in all the test parameters. However, statistically significant results were elicited usually by the higher two doses of BM. BM did not produce any significant motor deficit, at the doses used, as was evidenced by using the rota-rod test. The findings correlate with the clinical use of the plant in Ayurveda. The advantage of B. monniera over the widely used benzodiazepine anxiolytics lies in the fact that it promotes cognition unlike the amnesic action of the latter.