1. Bacopa monniera, a reputed nootropic plant: an overview.
- Author
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Russo A and Borrelli F
- Subjects
- Animals, Antioxidants administration & dosage, Antioxidants therapeutic use, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, India, Medicine, Ayurvedic, Mice, Nootropic Agents administration & dosage, Nootropic Agents therapeutic use, Plant Extracts administration & dosage, Plant Extracts therapeutic use, Rats, Antioxidants pharmacology, Bacopa, Nootropic Agents pharmacology, Phytotherapy, Plant Extracts pharmacology
- Abstract
Bacopa monniera (BM), a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, used for centuries as a memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, sedative and antiepileptic agent. The plant, plant extract and isolated bacosides (the major active principles) have been extensively investigated in several laboratories for their neuropharmacological effects and a number of reports are available confirming their nootropic action. In addition, researchers have evaluated the anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic and other pharmacological effects of BM preparations/extracts. Therefore, in view of the important activities performed by this plant, investigation must be continued in the recently observed actions described in this paper. Moreover, other clinical studies have to be encouraged, also to evidence any side effects and possible interactions between this herbal medicine and synthetic drugs.
- Published
- 2005
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