Bacopa monniera (syn. Herpestis monniera), commonly known as Brahmi, has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners in India since ancient times for the management of mental conditions.1 In clinical studies, Bacopa monniera, has been shown to be a useful agent for renovating and revitalizing components of intellectual behavior in children.2 In adults, Bacopa monniera has been reported to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, thereby improving brain functions in terms of memory enhancement and elevated mental performance.3

In a recent preclinical study4, researchers revealed that Bacopa monniera possesses significant antioxidant activity that may be responsible for its memory enhancement and mental activity properties.

Bhattacharya, S.K. et al.4, the researchers of the study, investigated the effects of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera and Deprenyl, the conventional medicine used in the treatment of cerebral conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and depression, on different regions of the rat brain (frontal, cortical, striatal, and hippocampal).

Bacopa monniera exhibited a significant antioxidant effect and increased the levels of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), in all the regions of the rat brain. Since these enzymes form the first line of defense against oxidative damage to the cells, the authors inferred that the cognition-facilitating action of Bacopa monniera may be attributed at least in part to free radical scavenging activity. In contrast, Deprenyl induced an increase of all antioxidant enzymes in all regions of the brain except the hippocampus, the part of the brain where all memories are created.

Sources:

1. Nadkarni, A.K. (ed.) (1991) Dr. K. M. Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica. Popular Prakashan Private Ltd.: Bombay, India. pgs. 624-625.
2. Sharma, R., Chaturvedi, C., and Tewari, P.V. (1987) Efficacy of Bacopa monnieri in revitalizing intellectual functions in children. J. Res. Edu. Ind. Med. Jan-June, 1-10.
3. Singh, R.H. and Singh, L. (1980) Studies on the anti-anxiety effect of the Medhya Rasayana Drug, Brahmi (Bacopa monniera Wettst.)-Part 1. J. Res. Ayur. Siddha, 1, 133-148.
4. Bhattacharya, S.K., Bhattacharya, A., Kumar, A., and Ghosal, S. (2000) Antioxidant activity of Bacopa monniera in rat frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus. Phytotherapy Research, 14(3), 174-179.

Sabinsa Corporation supplies Bacopin®, Sabinsa’s proprietary Bacopa monniera extract standardized for a minimum of 20% Bacosides, the active principles responsible for improving memory-related functions.