What Is the Benefit of Bacopa Monnieri in Tamil?

 Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. is an annual creeping herb that commonly grows along water edges, wetlands, and sandy beaches at elevations of 550–650 meters. It is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In foreign countries, India has conducted extensive research on this plant. In China, it is mainly distributed in Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces. The whole plant of Bacopa monnieri has the effects of clearing heat, cooling the blood, detoxifying, and reducing swelling. Given the various biological activities of Bacopa monnieri, this review summarizes the research findings on its chemical components and pharmacological effects both domestically and internationally, providing a reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of Bacopa monnieri.

1 Chemical Components

To date, over 20 compounds have been isolated from Bacopa Monnieri, with triterpenoid saponins being the primary constituents.

1.1 Triterpenoid Saponins

In the 1970s, research on the chemical composition of Bacopa Monnieri was limited, with almost no studies on triterpenoid saponins. Since the 1990s, both domestic and international research on triterpenoid saponins in Bacopa Monnieri has increased significantly.

In 2001, Chakravarty et al. [2] isolated two triterpenoid saponins from Bacopa monnieri: Bacopaside I (1) and its isomer Bacopaside II (2). In 2003, they isolated three new triterpenoid saponins, Bacopaside III (3), Bacopaside IV, and Bacopaside V³ . Subsequently, Bacoside A and the triterpenoid saponin compound Bacoside A₃ with insecticidal activity were also isolated.

In 1995, Garai et al. [14] isolated three dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from Bacopa monnieri, namely Bacopasaponin A (4), Bacopasaponin B (5), and Bacopasaponin C (6), and identified the C-20 and C-22 positions, providing their exact structural formulas. In 1996, he further isolated the dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin compound Bacopasaponin D (7) [5]. In 1999, Mahato et al. [6] isolated dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins Bacopasaponin E (8) and Bacopasaponin F (9) from Bacopa monnieri. In 2002, scholars from Taiwan, China, Hou et al. [7] isolated Bacopasaponin G (10) from Bacopa monnieri.

Among the above compounds, those containing jujuboside aglycone include compounds 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, Bacopaside IV, Bacoside A, and Bacoside A₃; those containing pseudojujuboside aglycone include compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and Bacopaside V.

1.2 Other compounds

Indian researchers reported the compounds Bacoside A (11) and its isomer Bacoside B from Bacopa monnieri. In 2000, Indian researchers Almed et al. isolated a new triterpenoid compound with analgesic activity, Bacosine, from Bacopa monnieri. and also isolated a sterol, Bacosterol. Chandel et al. (9) isolated the compound Bacogenin A₃ from Bacopa monnieri.

In 2002, Hou et al. [7] isolated a phenethyl alcohol glycoside compound Bacopaside A (12) and compounds Bacopaside B (13) and Bacopaside C (14) from Pseudo-Purslane. Chakravarty et al. [10] isolated Monnierasides I–III from Pseudo-Purslane. The structural formulas of compounds 1–14 are shown in Figure 1.

2 Pharmacological effects

2.1 Effects on the nervous system

2.1.1 Cognitive enhancement

Roodenrys et al. [11] investigated the effects of Bacopa monnieri on human memory through human experiments. A double-blind, randomized trial was conducted on 76 adults aged 40–65 years. Placebo was administered, followed by treatment with false pennywort to observe its effects on various memory functions and anxiety levels in humans. Three tests were conducted in three periods: the first before administration, the second three months after administration, and the third six weeks after the second test. The results indicated that the standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri significantly enhanced memory for new information and reduced the rate of forgetting new information; however, it had no effect on learning rate, short-term memory for verbal and visual information, or the retrieval of prior knowledge. Additionally, it had no impact on daily memory function or anxiety levels.

Dasa et al. [12] conducted anti-dementia and anti-cholinesterase activity experiments using a standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri (containing 55%–60% bacosides) on adult male Swiss mice (25–30 g). Adult male mice were injected with scopolamine (3 mg/kg) to establish an animal model, Three different concentrations of Bacopa standard extracts I, II, and III (containing Bacogenin A₃ at 20.1%, 23.2%, and 36.9%, respectively) were administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days. The results indicated that Bacopa standard extracts effectively enhanced cognitive function, suggesting that this extract may be used for the treatment of dementia.

2.1.2  Antidepressant

Sairam et al. [1³] investigated the effects of standard extracts of Pueraria lobata on a rat depression model. In a forced swimming test, the extract significantly increased the swimming time of rats in the forced swimming test. In an animal model of memory acquisition impairment, the extract significantly reduced the number of escape failures in rats during an electric shock test and significantly enhanced their avoidance response. Compared with the control drug imipramine (15 mg/kg), administration of Bacopa monnieri (20 and 40 mg/kg) qd for 15 consecutive days confirmed that Bacopa monnieri has antidepressant effects.

2.1.3 Stress-relieving

Rai et al. [4] used a standardized extract of false pennywort (containing 55%–60% bacosides) to conduct acute and chronic stress experiments on adult male rats (180–200 g), with ginseng root powder as the positive control. Acute stress significantly increased gastric ulcer index, adrenal weight, blood glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK), but significantly reduced spleen weight. The standard extract of Pseudocontortum (40 mg·kg⁻¹, po) significantly inhibited the increase in ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, blood glucose, AST, and ALT caused by acute stress. The 80 mg·kg⁻¹ group significantly reversed the changes in adrenal gland weight, spleen weight, blood glucose, ALT, and AST caused by acute stress. Chronic stress significantly increased gastric ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, plasma AST, and CK, and significantly reduced thymus and spleen weights, plasma triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations. Standard extract of Pseudocontortum (40 mg·kg⁻¹, po) significantly reversed changes in ulcer index and plasma AST, while 80 mg·kg⁻¹ significantly reversed changes in ulcer index, adrenal weight, plasma CK, and AST. It is evident that the standard extract of Pseudocallis has an anti-stress effect, similar to that of ginseng root powder (100 mg·kg⁻¹, PO).

2.1.4 Alleviating morphine withdrawal symptoms

Sumathi et al. [15] conducted a morphine withdrawal symptom experiment on guinea pigs using Bacopa Monnieri. After administering morphine for 4 minutes, naloxone was administered to induce strong contractions in the guinea pigs' ileum. When different concentrations (100–1000 mg/mL) of Bacopa Monnieri were administered 15 minutes before morphine administration, the contractions induced by naloxone were partially alleviated. The results indicate that Bacopa monnieri has an alleviating effect on morphine-induced withdrawal symptoms.

2.1.5 Analgesic effects

The compound Bacosine in Bacopa monnieri has no analgesic effect on mechanically induced pain but exhibits significant analgesic effects on pain caused by acetic acid and a hot plate. Since naloxone blocks the analgesic effect of bacosine, while bacosine enhances the analgesic effect of morphine, it is suggested that bacosine may be related to the opiate mechanism [16].

2.2 Effects on the digestive system

2.2.1 Smooth muscle spasm relief

Dar et al. [7] reported that false pennywort has antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle. False pennywort inhibited the intrinsic motility of the ileum of guinea pigs [IC₅₀ = (24 ± 4) μg·mL⁻¹] and the jejunum of rabbits [IC₅₀ = (136 ± 9) μg·mL⁻¹]. Pseudostellaria (260 μg/mL) significantly reduced acetylcholine and histamine levels in the ileum (0.0001–10 μmol/L). At a certain concentration [IC₅₀=(285±56) μg·mL⁻¹], Pseudocentaurea (100–700 μg·mL⁻¹) inhibits the contraction of the ileum induced by acetylcholine (1 μmol·L⁻¹). Pseudocentaurea (10–700 μg·mL⁻¹) inhibits the contraction of rabbit blood vessels and jejunum induced by calcium chloride, indicating that it directly interferes with calcium ion influx into cells. However, Bacopa Monnieri had no effect on contractions induced by norepinephrine and caffeine, suggesting that it has no significant effect on intracellular calcium. The mechanism of action is primarily through blocking calcium channels in the cell membrane.

2.2.2 Anti-ulcer

Sairam et al. [18] investigated the effects of a standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri (containing 38.0% bacoside A) on ulcer-inducing factors (such as gastric acid and pepsin secretion) and protective factors (such as mucin secretion in gastric fluid, cell detachment, cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa, and antioxidant function) using various gastric ulcer models. Pseudostellaria root was administered orally at doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg to investigate its effects on gastric ulcers induced by ethanol, aspirin, cold stimulation, pyloric ligation, and acetic acid. Additionally, the effects of the standard extract of Pseudostellaria root on gastric secretion and gastric mucosa were studied.

The results showed: ① The standard extract of Pseudocontortum had significant preventive and therapeutic effects on gastric ulcers induced by ethanol, aspirin, cold stimulation, and pyloric ligation, with efficacy comparable to that of sucralfate, and protection rates ranging from 27.6% to 87.1%; when administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg⁻¹ for 5 days, had no significant effect on the ulcer index of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers, but continuous administration for 10 days showed significant efficacy and reduced gastric perforation. ② The standard extract of Pseudocontrahelum had a trend toward reducing the volume, concentration, and secretion of gastric acid and pepsin, and significantly reduced DNA content. Although it did not significantly increase mucopolysaccharide content, it markedly increased the ratio of total sugars to proteins. ③ At a dose of 20 mg·kg⁻¹, Bacopa Monnieri had no significant effect on DNA content in gastric mucosa or gastric gland weight; at doses of 10 and 20 mg·kg⁻¹, it significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in gastric mucosa of normal rats, At a dose of 20 mg/kg, it increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels and significantly reversed the increase in ulcer index, LPO, and SOD levels, as well as the decrease in CAT levels caused by cold stress. The above studies indicate that the plant's preventive and therapeutic effects on gastric ulcers are primarily attributed to its activity on gastric mucosal defense factors, and its antioxidant activity is also one of its gastric protective mechanisms.

2.3 Effects on the circulatory system

Recently, Channa et al. (1995) reported that different fractions and subfractions of Bacopa Monnieri exhibited strong inhibitory effects on bronchoconstriction, hypotension, and bradycardia induced by carbachol in paralyzed rats. Fractionated fractions and the compound betulinic acid exhibited significant inhibitory effects on tracheal pressure, blood pressure, or heart rate. Crude extracts of false pennywort (petroleum ether and methanol extracts) demonstrated vasodilatory effects on tracheal constriction induced by potassium chloride. Crude extracts of Pseudocorydalis (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and methanol extracts) caused 2–2.6-fold vasodilation of pulmonary arteries, while CHCl₃/MeOH fractions significantly alleviated acetylcholine-induced ileal contractions. Both methanol extracts and CHCl₃/MeOH fractions significantly reduced the contractions of the ileum of guinea pigs induced by barium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride, indicating interference with calcium ion movement. Therefore, it can be inferred that the vasodilatory activity of different extracts of Pseudocorydalis pseudocorydalis is primarily attributed to the inhibition of calcium ions.

2.4 Other effects

2.4.1 Protection of brain mitochondrial enzymes

Sumathy et al. (20) investigated the protective effect of Bacopa Monnieri on the reduction of brain mitochondrial enzyme activity induced by morphine in rats. The brain mitochondrial enzyme levels in the morphine-treated group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group. When 40 mg/kg of Bacopa Monnieri was administered 2 hours before morphine, brain mitochondrial enzyme levels remained normal. Therefore, it can be inferred that Bacopa Monnieri has a protective effect on brain mitochondrial enzymes.

2.4.2 Increasing Thyroid Hormone Concentrations

Kar et al. {2¹} conducted experiments on male mice using false plantain leaf extract. Administration (200 mg/kg) increased thyroid hormone concentrations without enhancing liver lipid peroxidation, indicating a stimulating effect on the thyroid. The experimental results suggest that false plantain leaf extract can be used as a thyroid stimulant for the treatment of hypothyroidism.

2.4.3 Antitumor

At low concentrations, extracts of Bacopa Monnieri inhibit tumor cell growth; however, the toxicity at high concentrations requires further in vivo experiments for clarification. The mechanism of action may involve inhibiting DNA replication [22].

2.4.4 Hepatoprotective

Sumathy et al.²³ evaluated the effects of Bacopa Monnieri on antioxidant levels in the liver induced by morphine. The results indicated that Bacopa Monnieri prevented the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes and the reduction of glutathione levels, inhibited the increase in lipid peroxides after morphine administration, and thus exerted a hepatoprotective effect against morphine-induced liver toxicity in rats.

2.4.5 Smooth muscle relaxation

The ethanol extract of Bacopa Monnieri exhibited relaxing effects on all isolated tissues, including rabbit and guinea pig isolated trachea, pulmonary artery, and aorta. It alleviated histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal strips, with a dose-dependent effect. The effect was most pronounced in guinea pigs, but complete relaxation was observed only in tracheal specimens. The extract's vasodilatory effects were not blocked by atropine or propranolol, but the vasodilatory effect on tracheal specimens was partially blocked by propranolol. Indomethacin blocked the tissue relaxation induced by the plant extract, and the extract exhibited the same vasodilatory effects on both endothelial-containing and endothelial-free vessels. The results suggest that the relaxing effect induced by Pseudocaparia may involve prostaglandin compounds and β-adrenergic receptors. Additionally, this relaxing effect does not depend on the activation of endothelium or muscarinic receptors [24].

3 Conclusion

To date, Bacopa Monnieri has not been developed or utilized in China. Based on existing research, a comprehensive collection of Bacopa Monnieri resources in China should be conducted, followed by systematic classification, identification, and screening of superior materials. Furthermore, in-depth pharmacological and chemical component studies should be conducted to investigate its active components and mechanisms of action, evaluate its quality, and facilitate its better development and utilization, thereby fully tapping the potential of this wild plant resource and enabling it to play a role in modern medicine.

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