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The aim of the work was to evaluate the pharmacological effects and therapeutic potential of individual compounds and extracts of B. monnieri based on the analysis of data from scientific periodicals regarding chemical composition and biological action. Theoretically significant were the studies of the materials of the scientific-metric database PubMed and Google Scholar over the last five years regarding the chemical composition and biological action of extracts based on B. monnieri and their individual components. The search query was carried out by the Latin name of the plant, with the exception of publications related to botanical research. In separate PubChem searches, names of individual phytocompounds were used to establish structure and distribution in plants. The SuperPred web server was used to predict therapeutic potential. The authors analyzed the chemical composition of the extracts, presented the structural and pharmacological characteristics of bacosides and their aglycones: bacosin and juubogenin, cucurbitacin E, loliolide, betulinic and asiatic acids and the flavonoid oroxindin. The mechanism of action of bacoside on β-amyloid is characterized and illustrated. Using machine learning, the prospects for using the main compounds of bacopa to create drugs were calculated taking into account the ATC classification, their biological effects and alternative plant sources were given. Experimental animal studies of whole aqueous or ethanolic extracts of B. monnieri have been found to support a cognitive enhancement effect. The extract was not toxic to humans. Numerous clinical trials show the effectiveness of the use of extracts in the treatment of anhedonia, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and hyperactivity. An analysis of clinical studies in Ukraine shows that drugs based on B. monnieri can be used in the complex treatment of cognitive impairment associated with dyscirculatory encephalopathy in adults and perinatal CNS damage in children. Considering the amphiphilicity of bacosides and the non-toxicity of extracts, they can be involved in the development of various dosage forms with a wide range of therapeutic applications. Further study of the pharmacological action of B. monnieri and the development of drug technology for solid and liquid dosage forms based on it are promising.

Neurological disorders including neurodegenerative disorders continue to pose significant therapeutic challenges. Triterpenoids, a diverse group of natural compounds found abundantly in plants, possess promising neuroprotective properties. This review aims to explore the potential of triterpenoids in mitigating neurodegeneration through various mechanisms, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities. The neuroprotective potential of some notable triterpenoids, such as asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassoside, bacoside A, bacopaside I, ganoderic acids, and lucidenic acids are discussed in terms of their ability to modulate key pathways implicated in neurological disorders. Additionally, the potential therapeutic applications of triterpenoids in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy are examined. Furthermore, the review also underlines the challenges for the development of triterpenoids as neuroprotective agents, including the need for further preclinical and clinical studies to elucidate their efficacy and safety for translation into clinical practice.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the pharmacological effects and therapeutic potential of individual compounds and extracts of B. monnieri based on the analysis of data from scientific periodicals regarding chemical composition and biological action. Theoretically significant were the studies of the materials of the scientific- metric database PubMed and Google Scholar over the last five years regarding the chemical composition and biological action of extracts based on B. monnieri and their individual components. The search query was carried out by the Latin name of the plant, with the exception of publications related to botanical research. In separate PubChem searches, names of individual phytocompounds were used to establish structure and distribution in plants. The SuperPred web server was used to predict therapeutic potential. The authors analyzed the chemical composition of the extracts, presented the structural and pharmacological characteristics of bacosides and their aglycones: bacosin and juubogenin, cucurbitacin E, loliolide, betulinic and asiatic acids and the flavonoid oroxindin. The mechanism of action of bacoside on β-amyloid is characterized and illustrated. Using machine learning, the prospects for using the main compounds of bacopa to create drugs were calculated taking into account the ATC classification, their biological effects and alternative plant sources were given. Experimental animal studies of whole aqueous or ethanolic extracts of B. monnieri have been found to support a cognitive enhancement effect. The extract was not toxic to humans. Numerous clinical trials show the effectiveness of the use of extracts in the treatment of anhedonia, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and hyperactivity. An analysis of clinical studies in Ukraine shows that drugs based on B. monnieri can be used in the complex treatment of cognitive impairment associated with dyscirculatory encephalopathy in adults and perinatal CNS damage in children. Considering the amphiphilicity of bacosides and the non-toxicity of extracts, they can be involved in the development of various dosage forms with a wide range of therapeutic applications. Further study of the pharmacological action of B. monnieri and the development of drug technology for solid and liquid dosage forms based on it are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa floribunda are extensively utilized in various Ayurvedic remedies because of their cognitive-enhancing properties. Phytochemicals, antioxidants, anti-diabetic, anti-acetylcholine esterase activities, and the detection of bioactive substances (triterpenoid saponins and stigmasterol) were examined using HPLC and HR-LC-MS. The results showed that the aqueous extract of B. floribunda had the highest TPC (60.44 ± 5.24 mg TAE/g extract), while the acetonitrile extract had the lowest content (9.35 ± 0.64 mg TAE/g extract). The highest TFC was found in the acetone extracts of B. monnieri and B. floribunda (63.69 ± 13.48 and 61.44 ± 2.94 mg CE/g extract, respectively). Additionally, the acetone extracts of B. floribunda and B. monnieri revealed the greatest TTC (256.8 ± 7.73 mg CE/g extract) and TSC (363.5 ± 10.6 mg DE/g extract), respectively. In antioxidant studies, the acetone and methanol extracts of B. monnieri showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, and MC activities (68.24 ± 1.31 mg AAE/g extract, 160.43 ± 4.34 mg Fe(II)/g extract, and 283.13 ± 1.46 mg EDTA/g extract, respectively). The acetone extract of B. floribunda had better ABTS radical scavenging and PMA (13.29 ± 0.53 mg TE/g extract and 127.7 ± 0.51 mg AAE/g extract, respectively). The acetonitrile extract of B. floribunda showed considerable inhibitory effects against α-amylase (71.89 ± 10.1%), α-glucosidase (93.89 ± 0.19%), and acetylcholine esterase (80.92 ± 0.6%) enzymes. The presence of stigmasterol and four triterpenoid saponins were also confirmed by HPLC. The total amount of triterpenoid saponins was found higher in B. floribunda (4.97 ± 0.012 mg/g DW) than B. monnieri (3.96 ± 0.012 mg/g DW). In contrast, B. monnieri (5.13 ± 0.12 mg/g DW) exhibited the highest stigmasterol content as compared to B. floribunda (3.97 ± 0.35 mg/g DW). For the first time, we report B. floribunda as a potent source of triterpenoid saponins and could be a substitute for B. monnieri. • Assessment of bacoside and stigmasterol from the methanol extract of whole plant of B. monnieri and B. floribunda. • Investigations on phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of B. floribunda. • Evaluation of anti-acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory and anti-diabetic activities from Bacopa species. • First comparative study on both Bacopa species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri is the main source of pharmaceutically important bacosides; however, the low content of these molecules in planta remains a limiting factor for fulfilling the industrial requirement. The accumulation of secondary metabolites can be enhanced in plants upon inoculation with endophytes. In this study, we isolated and analyzed the culturable endophytes associated with different plant parts. By analyzing their impact on plant growth parameters (in vitro and in vivo) and Bacoside A content, we found few candidates which increased bacoside accumulation significantly. Finally, two promising endophytes namely Bacillus subtilis (OK070745) and Klebsiella aerogenes (OK070774) were co-cultivated with B. monnieri cuttings singly and in combination mode to clarify their effect on bacoside biosynthesis and their accumulation in B. monnieri shoot. Consortium-inoculated plants significantly enhanced the plant biomass and Bacoside A content with respect to single inoculation. The results of real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) revealed significant accumulation of bacoside biosynthetic pathway transcripts (HMGCR, PMVK, FDPS, SQS, and b-AS) in the case of plants inoculated with microbial combination, while the single inoculation of B. subtilis diverted the plant's machinery toward the synthesis of phenylpropanoid genes like CCR, CAD, CHS, and HST. In addition, higher expression of MYB 2 and WRKY 1 transcription factors in combinational treatment points out their probable role in better physiological and developmental processes. Altogether, this is the first study on B. monnieri-endophyte interaction showing improvement in the accumulation of bacoside A by modulating various genes of metabolic pathway and thus suggests an effective "green approach" for augmenting in planta production of pharmaceutically important bacosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri is the main source of pharmaceutically important bacosides; however, the low content of these molecules in planta remains a limiting factor for fulfilling the industrial requirement. The accumulation of secondary metabolites can be enhanced in plants upon inoculation with endophytes. In this study, we isolated and analyzed the culturable endophytes associated with different plant parts. By analyzing their impact on plant growth parameters (in vitro and in vivo) and Bacoside A content, we found few candidates which increased bacoside accumulation significantly. Finally, two promising endophytes namely Bacillus subtilis (OK070745) and Klebsiella aerogenes (OK070774) were co-cultivated with B. monnieri cuttings singly and in combination mode to clarify their effect on bacoside biosynthesis and their accumulation in B. monnieri shoot. Consortium-inoculated plants significantly enhanced the plant biomass and Bacoside A content with respect to single inoculation. The results of real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) revealed significant accumulation of bacoside biosynthetic pathway transcripts (HMGCR, PMVK, FDPS, SQS, and β-AS) in the case of plants inoculated with microbial combination, while the single inoculation of B. subtilis diverted the plant’s machinery toward the synthesis of phenylpropanoid genes like CCR, CAD, CHS, and HST. In addition, higher expression of MYB 2 and WRKY 1 transcription factors in combinational treatment points out their probable role in better physiological and developmental processes. Altogether, this is the first study on B. monnieri-endophyte interaction showing improvement in the accumulation of bacoside A by modulating various genes of metabolic pathway and thus suggests an effective “green approach” for augmenting in planta production of pharmaceutically important bacosides.

The effect of different elicitors [jasmonic acid, salicylic acid] and precursors [calcium pantothenate, cholesterol, sodium nitroprusside] on the stimulation of biomass and secondary metabolite production in suspension cultures of Bacopa monnieri was studied. Induction of primary callus cultures was successfully carried out on the Gamborg's B5 (B5) medium fortified with 2, 4-D (1.0 mg l−1) using Bacopa monnieri leaves as explants. The friable fine suspension cell culture was raised on parent B5 media without agar. The elicitation using different elicitors and precursors at varying concentrations was carried out over a period of 3, 6, 9, 15 days. Elicitor treated cultures showed marked increase in biomass and bacoside production around 6th–9th day (0.98 GI DW). In the present study, salicylic acid at 1.0 mg l−1 induced a maximum elicitation in bacoside content (6.58 mg g−1 DW). The present study provides favorable evidence on the potential of bacoside production using suspension cultures of B. monnieri. The study results also indicate the beneficial effects of elicitation on metabolite production in in vitro suspension cultures of B. monnieri plant known for its cognitive improving properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study was designed to evaluate the role of various plant polyamines (PAs) on in-vitro multiplication and regeneration in the Ayurvedic memory enhancer Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. Natural populations of B. monnieri were collected, sterilized and micropropagated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with different concentration and combination of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and PAs. MS media supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (2.0 mg/l) + spermidine (spd) (1 mM) and in another set, kinetin (kin) (2.0 mg/l) + spd (1 mM) were found to be the best multiplication media whereas MS + indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.0 mg/l) + spermine (spm) (1.0 mM) produced highest average number of roots per shoot. After 4–6 weeks of incubation, nodal explants cultured in MS media supplemented with various PGRs and PAs produced green compact or white friable nodular base calli (NBC). The NBC showed organogenic potential when subjected to MS media supplemented with cytokinins and PAs. Clonal fidelity of the regenerated plants was assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Out of the 60 clear and reproducible bands recorded, 54 were found to be monomorphic displaying high degree of monomorphism (90%) and lower polymorphic level (10%) between the mother plant and in-vitro regenerants. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed total bacoside content in B. monnieri grown in-vitro (PA-treated) and the mother plant (MP) grown in nature to be 27.89 and 25.46 mg/g respectively. The phytochemical analysis of the PA-treated micropropagated plants also revealed significantly higher levels of phenolics and flavonoids with comprehensively higher antioxidant potentials in PA-treated in-vitro grown plants (PATP) and the subsequently acclimatized plants (PATP-A) over the PA-untreated in-vitro grown plants (with/no PGR) (PAUP) and the mother plant (MP). • Bacopa monnieri was micropropagated in plant growth regulator and polyamine supplemented media. • Clonal fidelity of micropropagated plants was assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat and random-amplified polymorphic DNA primers. • Antioxidant assays were performed in natural and micropropagated plants. • Bacoside A was estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography in natural and micropropagated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (L.) - (BM) is a perennial, creeping herb which is widely used in traditional ayurvedic medicine as a neural tonic to improve intelligence and memory. Research into the biological effects of this plant has burgeoned in recent years, promising its neuroprotective and memory boosting ability among others. In this context, an extensive literature survey allows an insight into the participation of numerous signaling pathways and oxidative mechanism involved in the mitigation of oxidative stress, along with other indirect mechanisms modulated by bioactive molecules of BM to improve the cognitive action by their synergistic potential and cellular multiplicity mechanism. This multi-faceted review describes the novel mechanisms that underlie the unfounded but long flaunted promises of BM and thereby direct a way to harness this acquired knowledge to develop innovative approaches to manipulate its intracellular pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, scientific researches have validated the healing benefits of many psychopharmacotherapeutic plant-based drugs to ameliorate psychiatric disorders. In contrast, the use of chemical procedures to isolate and purify specific compounds from plants that have been used to treat autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and its clinical features may contribute to improve the quality of life of many patients. Also, herbal pharmacological treatments could improve the core symptoms of autism with fewer side effects. This review will focus on the uses and actions of phytopharmaceuticals in the behavioral conditions of ASDs. A large number of natural compound-based plant drugs have been tested in murine models of autism and in clinical trials with remarkable success in reversing the core and associated behaviors with autism such as flavonoids, cannabinoids, curcuminoids, piperine, resveratrol, and bacosides. This plant-based drug alternative is safer given that many psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative pathologies do not often respond well to currently prescribed medications or have significant side effects. However, it is noteworthy to consider the need for large clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy. Many results are based on case reports or small size samples, and often the studies are open label. Standardization of procedures (i.e., purity and concentrations) and quality controls are strictly required to ensure the absence of side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa has long been renowned for its medicinal properties. This has been documented in the 6th-century Ayurvedic text, the Charaka Samhita, whereby Bacopa is recommended for the treatment of various mental conditions. India and Bacopa monnieri has a long history of use in the Ayurvedic medicine tradition in the treatment of a number of disorders, particularly those involving anxiety and mental disorders. It is currently being marketed in Western countries as a memory-enhancing agent. Studies have shown that the herb contains many active constituents, including a number of alkaloids and saponins; however, the major constituents are the steroidal saponins and bacosides A and B. Bacopa is used to treat a broad range of mind-related health concerns, including Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder epilepsy, and as a general tonic to fight stress. Best of all, it has far less severe side effects than the dangerous psychotropic drugs often prescribed today. People also take Bacopa to treat backache, joint pain. Bacopa extract has actually been shown to work as natural stress relievers by helping our bodies better handle or adapt to our daily stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment has been attributed to several factors including increased oxidative stress, depleted mitochondrial bioenergetics, altered neurotransmission and apoptosis. This multifactorial response of the brain to hypobaric hypoxia limits the use of therapeutic agents that target individual pathways for ameliorating hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment. The present study aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential of a bacoside rich leaf extract of Bacopa monniera in improving the memory functions in hypobaric conditions. The learning ability was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats along with memory retrieval following exposure to hypobaric conditions simulating an altitude of 25,000 ft for different durations. The effect of bacoside administration on apoptosis, cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP levels, and oxidative stress markers and on plasma corticosterone levels was investigated. Expression of NR1 subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, neuronal cell adhesion molecules and was also studied along with CREB phosphorylation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of bacoside action. Bacoside administration was seen to enhance learning ability in rats along with augmentation in memory retrieval and prevention of dendritic atrophy following hypoxic exposure. In addition, it decreased oxidative stress, plasma corticosterone levels and neuronal degeneration. Bacoside administration also increased cytochrome c oxidase activity along with a concomitant increase in ATP levels. Hence, administration of bacosides could be a useful therapeutic strategy in ameliorating hypobaric hypoxia induced cognitive dysfunctions and other related neurological disorders.

Context:Bacopa monnieriL. Pennell (Scrophulariaceae) is one of the most important plants in the system of Indian medicine (Ayurveda). Objective: This paper studies the optimal growth ofB. monnierifor effective accumulation of metabolites. Biomass growth of this plant could be accomplished in liquid cultures on Murashige & Skoog medium. Materials and methods: Powdered shoots ofin vitrocultures ofB. monnieriwere extracted by methanol for indole compounds, phenolic compounds and bacosides for RP-HPLC analysis. Fatty acid analysis was performedviagas chromatography. Anti-inflammatory effect ofB. monnieriextracts was evaluated in the A549 cells. COX-2 and cPGES expression was analyzed using Western blots. Results:l-Tryptophan and serotonin were found in biomass fromin vitrocultures ofB. monnierion MS medium and in biomass from the MS mediums enriched with the different additions such as of 0.1 g/L magnesium sulphate, 0.1 g/L zinc hydroaspartate, 0.1 g/Ll-tryptophan, 0.25 g/L serine, 0.5 g/L serine and 0.5 mg/L anthranilic acid. The content ofl-tryptophan and serotonin compounds was significant in biomass from medium with the addition of 0.1 g/L zinc hydroaspartate (0.72 mg/g dry weight and 1.19, respectively). Phenolic compounds identified in biomass from the same variants of MS medium were chlorogenic acid (ranging from 0.20 to 0.70 mg/g dry weight), neochlorogenic acid (ranging from 0.11 to 0.40 mg/g dry weight) and caffeic acid (ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 mg/g dry weight). The main group of fatty acids in biomass was saturated fatty acids (53.4%). The predominant fatty acid was palmitic acid. A significant decrease of COX-2 and cPGES expression was observed in the A549 cells activated with LPS and treated withB. monnieriextracts. Discussion and conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first analysis of indole compounds and phenolic acids in this plant. The multi-therapeutic effect ofB. monnieriis expressed by the activity of bacosides. Information about the presence of indole and phenolic compounds, and fatty acids in this plant is limited, but the content of these compounds might participate in the physiological activity ofB. monnieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments on Bacopa monnieri from Scrophulariaceae family were performed in in vitro shoot cultures conditions in media enriched with Mg ions and serine or anthranilic acid (L1 vitamin). As there is limited literature data available on the content of elements in shoots from B. monnieri in vitro cultures, analyses of magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium, copper, sodium and iron in plant shoots constituted the aim of the present study. The next aim of the work, for the first time, consists of evaluation of the content and concentration of magnesium and other metals in in vitro shoot cultures of B. monnieri and their influence on bacoside levels, as well as establishment of interactions between the listed analytes. The highest accumulation of magnesium was determined in the plant tissues cultured in media doped with 0.1 g/L serine and 0.5 g/L Mg (2104 µg/g dry weight), and 0.5 mg/g of anthranilic acid and 1.0 g/L Mg (2163 µg/g). The highest concentration of bacosides in the obtained in vitro shoot cultures of B. monnieri (37.3 mg/g dry weight) was found in cultures of the following media composition: MS1 with addition of 0.25 g/L serine and 0.1 g/L Mg, and MS1 with addition of 0.5 g/L serine and 0.5 g/L magnesium. Considering the observed shortage of plant reserves in the natural environment and its curative properties, it seems to be of utmost importance to obtain, as a result of the presented experiment, in vitro shoot cultures of B. monnieri characterized by optimal and reproducible composition of the physiologically active elements and metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. (family Scrophulariaceae), a therapeutically important perennial herb, was transformed to study the stability of the effects associated with the insertion of a gene encoding β-cryptogein, a proteinaceous elicitor, either alone or in addition to the T-DNA genes in long-term in vitro culture as well as after transfer to the greenhouse. Plant lines BmAr-IXcrypt obtained via transformation by LBA 9402-crypt (pRi1855+pBin19++ crypt) showed integration and expression of rolA, rolB, rolC, and rolD genes after 4 years of maintenance in vitro. The plant line BmAt-ncrypt obtained via transformation with A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404- crypt (harboring pBin19++ crypt) as well as plant line BmAr-IXcrypt showed stable integration and expression of nptII gene and crypt gene even after transfer to greenhouse. The clones of Ri-crypt-transformed plants differed morphologically from Ri-transformed plants in that the typical 'hairy root syndrome' was not observed in plants expressing crypt gene in the presence of rol genes. Except plant line BmAr-IXcrypt, none of the other transgenic plant lines showed any alteration in floral morphology and onset of flowering. The crypt-transformed plant lines (BmAr-IXcrypt and BmAt-ncrypt), maintained under long-term culture, showed significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.05) amount of bacoside production in vitro (1.66- to 2.05-fold, with respect to non-transformed plants). In addition, accumulation of all the four bacosides was significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.05) in crypt-transformed plants as compared to non-transformed plants grown for 1 year in greenhouse. Thus, the crypt-transformed plant lines of B. monnieri may be considered as the potential source for sustainable bioproduction of bacosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (BM) is a medicinal plant which has been not only used as a traditional medicine to improve intelligence and memory but also taken as vegetables in Vietnam for a long time. We previously demonstrated that Bacopa monnieri (BM) alcohol extract attenuated olfactory bulbectomy-induced cognitive deficits and the deterioration of septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurons, suggesting the beneficial effects of BM for dementia patients. Aim of study The present study was conducted to further clarify the anti-dementia effects of BM, using transient 2 vessels occlusion (T2VO)-induced cognitive deficits in mice, an animal model of vascular dementia, and also to investigate the constituent(s) contributing to the actions of BM, using oxygen- and glucose-deprivation (OGD)-induced hippocampal cell damage as an in vitro model of ischemia. Materials and methods In the in vivo experiments, T2VO mice were treated daily with a standardized BM extract (50 mg/kg, p.o.) 1 week before and continuously 3 days after surgery. In the in vitro experiments, organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) were incubated with triterpenoid saponins from BM (bacosides) or MK-801 1 h before and during a 45-min period of OGD. Neuronal cell damage in OHSCs was analyzed by measurement of propidium iodide uptake 24 h after OGD. Results The BM treatment significantly ameliorated T2VO-induced impairments in non-spatial short term memory performance in the object recognition test. Among the bacosides tested in the in vitro experiments using OHSCs, bacopaside I (25 μM) exhibited potent neuroprotective effects against OGD-induced neuronal cell damage. Double staining with TUNEL and PI revealed that OGD caused necrosis and apoptosis and that bacopaside I attenuated the effects of OGD. The neuroprotective effects of bacopaside I were blocked by the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002, but not by the ERK inhibitor U0126. OGD reduced the level of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), an anti-apoptotic factor, in OHSCs. This decrease was reversed by bacopaside I. Moreover, the treatment with bacopaside I itself was able to elevate the level of p-Akt in OHSCs. Conclusion These results suggest that BM was beneficial for the prevention of cognitive deficits related to cerebral ischemia and also that bacopaside I, via PKC and PI3K/Akt mechanisms, played a role in the neuroprotective effects of BM observed in the mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) is a well-known perennial, creeping herb of the Indian Ayurveda system; it contains numerous bioactive phytoconstituents implicated in the therapeutic management of several life-threatening diseases. This herb was used by Ancient Vedic scholars due to its pharmacological effect, especially as a nerve tonic and nootropic booster. However, to better understand the roles of Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) in neurological disorders and memory-related diseases, it is necessary to understand its active phytochemical constituents and their molecular mechanisms. Several clinical studies suggested that BME have neuroprotective effects, making it worth revising a notable herb. Here we investigated the contours of BME's phytochemistry and pharmacological features, focusing on neuronal disorders. We further analyzed the underlying molecular mechanisms in therapeutic intervention. Various clinical concerns and synergistic potential of BME were explored for their effective use in cognition and neuroprotection. The generation of reactive oxygen species increases neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity and is associated with Tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, leading to a neurological disorder. Our findings provide deeper mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective roles of BME, which can be further implicated in the therapeutic management of neurological disorders and exerting cognitive-enhancing effects. • Bioactive components of Bacopa monnieri extracts play significant roles in memory enhancement and neuroprotection. • We investigated the neuroprotective roles of its phytoconstituents and their therapeutic implications. • The mechanism of action of phytoconstituents of Bacopa monnieri in therapeutic management of neurodegenerative disease is dissected in detail. • Synergistic potential Bacopa monnieri extracts has been further explored for its effective use in Alzheimer's therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacosides are the main biologically active components derived from the plant bacopa monnieri ( Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.), which has been used as a nootropic in Indian medicine for many centuries. In recent years, these compounds have attracted attention because of their wide range of neurobiological effects. The neuroprotective effects of bacosides on brain neurons under the influence of various damaging factors (neurotoxins, oxidative stress, beta-amyloid deposition, cigarette smoke, etc.) have been established. It was shown that these substances reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the processes of demyelination of neurons. The anticonvulsant effect of bacosides has been established. These compounds also improve cognitive functions, including memory and learning abilities. The effects associated with the influence on the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems of the striatum are of interest for the therapy of morphine addiction. The theoretical justifications for the future use of bacosides as a multipurpose means of complex therapy of individual diseases in neurological and psychiatric practice are presented.

Unorganized collections and over exploitation of naturally occurring medicinal plant Bacopa monniera is leading to rapid depletion of germplasm and is posing a great threat to its survival in natural habitats. The species has already been listed in the list of highly threatened plants of India. This calls for micropropagation based multiplication of potential accessions and understanding of their mycorrhizal associations for obtaining plants with enhanced secondary metabolite contents. The co-cultivation of B. monniera with axenically cultivated root endophyte Piriformospora indica resulted in growth promotion, increase in bacoside content, antioxidant activity and nuclear hypertrophy of this medicinal plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (BM) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a nootropic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic and antidepressant. An n-butanol extract of the plant ( nBt-ext BM) was analysed and found to contain Bacoside A (Bacoside A3, Bacopaside II and Bacopasaponin C). The effects of the BM extract were then studied on morphine-induced hyperactivity as well as dopamine and serotonin turnover in the striatum since these parameters have a role in opioid sensitivity and dependence. Mice were pretreated with saline or nBt-ext BM (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, orally), 60 min before morphine administration and locomotor activity was subsequently recorded. Immediately after testing, striatal tissues were analysed for dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT) and their metabolites using HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection. The results indicated that nBt-ext BM significantly ( p < 0.001) decreased locomotor activity in both the saline and morphine treated groups. Additionally, nBt-ext BM significantly lowered morphine-induced dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-H1AA) upsurges in the striatum but failed to affect DA, 5-HT and their metabolites in the saline treated group. These findings suggest that nBt-ext BM has an antidopaminergic/serotonergic effect and may have potential beneficial effects in the treatment of morphine dependence. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (L.) is a revered medicinal plant of traditional Indian system of medicine effective against cognitive impairment in ageing and SDAT. In our previous study, long term administration of bacosides was found to exhibit remarkable anti ageing effect, ameliorate age associated neurochemical and neurobehavioral deficits and prevent hippocampal neuronal degeneration in middle aged and aged rat brain cortex. In continuation to the previous study, the present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of bacosides against age related chronic neuroinflammation in Wistar rat brain on 3 months treatment. Recently, neuroinflammation has gained considerable interest in age associated neurodegeneration and pathologies like SDAT due to its slow onset and chronic nature. The results of the present study demonstrated the significant attenuation of age dependant elevation of pro inflammatory cytokines, iNOS protein expression, total nitrite and lipofuscin content in middle aged and aged rat brain cortex on long term oral administration of bacosides. Thus, the present results suggest that bacosides possess immense potential to act as a neuroprotective agent due to its pleiotropic action for the prevention of ageing complications and SDAT progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacopa monnieri (L.), popularly known as Brahmi, is a revered Ayurvedic medicinal plant used as nerve tonic since time immemorial. The present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of bacosides, the active saponins of Bacopa monnieri (L.) against age associated neurodegeneration and its impact over the prevention of Senile Dementia of Alzheimer's Type (SDAT). The optimum dose of bacosides with no adverse effect was selected by screening its dose dependant activity on ageing biomarker lipofuscin and SDAT biomarker neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the aged female Wistar rat brain. The selected therapeutic dose of bacosides (200 mg/kg) was orally administered for 3 months in middle aged and aged rats and further investigated for its protective action against age associated alterations in neurotransmission system, behavioral paradigms, hippocampal neuronal loss and oxidative stress markers. The results of the present study suggest that bacosides may act as a potential therapeutic intervention in forestalling the deleterious effects of ageing and preventing the age associated pathologies like SDAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BacoMind™ is an enriched phytochemical composition derived from Bacopa monnieri, a common medicinal plant having multiple uses in the traditional system of medicine and particularly used as a memory enhancing agent for centuries. The plant and its extracts have been evaluated for anti-inflammatory, cardio tonic, sedative and neuro-muscular blocking activities. In view of the extensive use of this plant, BacoMind™, standardized to bioactive compounds was evaluated in a series of toxicity studies, to confirm the safety of its usage. BacoMind™, on single oral administration had a median lethal dose of 2400mg/kg in Sprague–Dawley rats. In a 14day repeated dose oral toxicity study in rats, except for mild lowering in body weight gain in male rats, it was found to be tolerated well up to the dose of 500mg/kg. A subchronic oral toxicity study for 90 days in rats at the dose levels of 85, 210 and 500mg/kg did not reveal any evidence of toxicity with respect to clinical signs, neurological examination, food consumption, body weight gain, haematological and blood biochemistry parameters. The absolute and relative organ weight of vital organs did not differ significantly from that of the control. Necropsy and histopathological examination, did not reveal any remarkable and treatment related changes. A no-observed adverse effect level of 500mg/kg body weight was established in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The first analytical procedure permitting the analysis of individual bioactive saponins (bacosides) in Bacopa monnieri is described. By using 3 μm C-8 column material (Luna C-8) and a mobile phase comprising of water and methanol the developed HPLC method enabled the baseline separation of seven major saponins within <30 min. Flow-rate, detection wavelength, and temperature were adjusted to 0.5 ml/min, 205 nm, and 40 °C, respectively. Identity of the analytes was confirmed in an LC–MS experiment, with all compounds being clearly assignable in negative ESI mode. Furthermore, the method was validated for limit of detection, linearity, precision, accuracy inter-day variation. Several B. monnieri samples (extract, plant material, commercial products) were successfully analyzed, each of them containing at least four of the seven reference compounds. Main components were either bacoside A3 or bacopaside II, least dominant showed to be bacopasides IV and V. The total saponin content in the samples varied from 1.1 to 13.0%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri) is atraditional Indian medicinal plant known for its natural nootropicaction of saponins present in large amount in its shoots. Acollection of 24 B. monnieri accessions from differentagro-climatic zones of India and an introduction from Malaysiamaintained in the field genebank at CIMAP was analysed for RAPDvariation. Among the 40 random primers tested, 29 primers generatedone or more polymorphic bands. The number of polymorphic bandsgenerated was primer dependent, ranging from 2 to maximum of 8.Similarity matrices were generated from the RAPD data on the basis ofNei's estimates of similarity indices and dendrograms wereconstructed based on UPGMA clustering. All the accessions were foundto be in the range of 0.8–1.0 of similarity, which isindicative of a narrow genetic base among the various accessions witha medium level of polymorphism. It was possible to differentiateindividual accessions, showing differences in morphological andgrowth properties at DNA level. The observed low levels of geneticvariation were attributed to interplay of sexual and vegetative modesof reproduction and similarity of local environments in habitats of B. monnieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among nutraceuticals, phytochemical-rich compounds represent a source of naturally-derived bioactive principles, which are extensively studied for potential beneficial effects in a variety of disorders ranging from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to cancer and neurodegeneration. In the brain, phytochemicals produce a number of biological effects such as modulation of neurotransmitter activity, growth factor induction, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, stem cell modulation/neurogenesis, regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis, and counteracting protein aggregation through modulation of protein-folding chaperones and the cell clearing systems autophagy and proteasome. In particular, the ability of phytochemicals in restoring proteostasis through autophagy induction took center stage in recent research on neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Indeed, autophagy dysfunctions and α-syn aggregation represent two interdependent downstream biochemical events, which concur in the parkinsonian brain, and which are targeted by phytochemicals administration. Therefore, in the present review we discuss evidence about the autophagy-based neuroprotective effects of specific phytochemical-rich plants in experimental parkinsonism, with a special focus on their ability to counteract alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity. Although further studies are needed to confirm the autophagy-based effects of some phytochemicals in parkinsonism, the evidence discussed here suggests that rescuing autophagy through natural compounds may play a role in preserving dopamine (DA) neuron integrity by counteracting the aggregation, toxicity, and prion-like spreading of α-syn, which remains a hallmark of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]