Botanical name: Bacopa monniera, Scrophulariaceae
Common names: Brahmi ('consort of the divine'), Sarasvati (S); Barami, Jalnim (H); Nirpirami, Piramiyapundu (T); Bacopa (E)
Botany: Brahmi is a prostate or creeping succulent annual herb, rooting at the nodes with numerous ascending branches. The leaves are oppositely arranged, margin simple, obovate-oblong, and sessile, with small black dots. The flowers are solitary, pale blue or white, borne in the leaf axils on long slender pedicles, giving rise to two-celled, two-valved ovoid capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. Brahmi is found throughout tropical India in damp, marshy areas (Warrier et al 1994, 235; Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1816). Brahmi is soometimes found as an ornamental ground cover, and is under cultivation in India and other warm, wet locations.
Part used: Aerial portions.
Dravyguna:
€Rasa: tikta, kashaya, madhura
€Vipaka: madhura
€Virya: shita
€Karma: medhya, jivaniya, rasayana, kasahara, jvaraghna, kushtaghna, anuloma, Vatakaphahara, balyam
€Prabhava: The name Brahmi is the feminine form of Brahma, the lord of Creation in the Hindu mythos, suggesting that this herb has the ability or 'shakti' to faciliate divine consciousness (Srikanthamurthy 2001, 274; Warrier et al 1994, 235; Dash 1991, 101).
Constituents: Researchers have isolated numerous glycosidal constituents from Brahmi, including the saponins monnierin and hersaponin, dammarane-type triterpenoid bacosaponins that include bacopasides III, IV, V, bacosides A and B (which upon acid hydrolysis yield the aglycones bacogenins A1-A5) and bacosaponins A, B and C. Other saponin glycosides include the jujubogenin bisdesmosides bacopasaponins D, E and F. Other constituents include a matsutaka alcohol derivative, a phenylethanoid glycoside, luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside, the alkaloids brahmine, herpestine and a mixture of three bases, D-mannitol, betulic acid, Β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and its esters, heptacosane, octacosane, nonacosane, triacontane, hentriacontane, dotriacontane, nicotine, and 3-formyl-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran. The presence of Β-alamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and serine has also been reported (Chakravarty et al 2003; Hou et al 2002; Yoganarasimhan 2000, 67; Mahato et al 2000; Garai et al 1996a; Garai et al 1996b; Rastogi et al 1994).
Medical research:
€Memory: Seventy-six adults aged between 40 and 65 years took part in a double-blind randomized placebo control study in which various memory functions were tested and levels of anxiety measured before, during and after the administration of a Brahmi extract. Overall, the results indicated that Brahmi had a significant effect upon the retention of new information, specifically, decreasing the rate at which newly acquired information is forgotten (Roodenrys et al 2002). A double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined the activity of Bacopa monniera in healthy human subjects. B. monniera was shown to significantly improve the speed of visual information processing, learning rate and memory consolidation, and reduce anxiety. Maximal effects were observed after 12 weeks of administration (Stough et al 2001). An alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera administered in rats subjected to learning performance tests provided better acquisition, improved retention and shortened reaction time than controls (Singh and Dhawan 1982).
€Dementia: The effect of a standardized extract of B. monniera was observed in scopolamine-induced dementia in mice, and in vitro to determine any anticholinesterase activity. The effect of Bacopa upon experimentally induced dementia was assessed with a passive avoidance test, upon which Bacopa had a significant, beneficial effect when compared to control groups. Bacopa also demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity, in vitro (Das et al 2002).
€Addiction and withdrawal: The effect of an alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera on morphine withdrawal was evaluated in vitro in guinea-pig ileum. After a four minute in vitro exposure to morphine, the addition of naloxone induced a strong contraction. The addition of B. monniera (100-1000 microg/ml) 15 minutes before exposure to morphine reduced the naloxone-induced contraction in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that B. monniera may be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine (Sumathi et al 2002).
€Epilepsy: Bacopa monniera was evaluated alone and in combination with phenytoin for its effect on passive-avoidance task, maximal electroshock seizures and locomotor activity in mice. Phenytoin alone was found adversely affected cognitive function whereas Bacopa given along with phenytoin was found to reduce this effect (Vohora et al 2000).
€Endocrine: The effect of Bacopa monniera (200 mg/kg) upon the regulation of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice was investigated. Serum T4 concentration was shown to increase by 41% without enhancing hepatic lipid peroxidation with administration of a B. monniera extract (Kar et al 2002).
€Antioxidant: Adult rats subjected to stress were pretreated with an oral dose of bacosides isolated from Bacopa monniera. Researchers noted an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus, as well as an increase in the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes in all the brain regions studied. Researchers also noted a decrease in HSP70 (heat shock protein 70) in pretreated animals, a gene that encodes for a protein that plays an important role in protecting cells from deleterious stresses. Thus, Brahmi appears to allow the brain to be prepared to act under adverse conditions (Chowdhuri et al 2002). An alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for its protective role on morphine-induced brain mitochondrial enzyme status in rats. The level of the brain mitochondrial enzymes was significantly lower in the morphine-treated group when compared with control animals. These enzymes however were maintained at a normal level when the Bacopa extract was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg/kg, 2 hours before the administration of morphine (Sumathy 2002). The oral administration of an alcohol extract of Bacopa monniera induced a significant hepatoprotective effect in morphine treated experimental rats, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and normalizing serum liver antioxidant enzyme levels, compared to controls (Sumathy et al 2001). A standardized extract of Bacopa monniera was found to promote a dose-related increase upon superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels in rat brain, indicating a significant free radical scavenging activity (Bhattacharya et al 2000). An alcoholic fraction of Bacopa monniera was shown to significantly inhibit FeSO4 and cumene hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation, comparable to EDTA and vitamin E (Tripathi et al 1996).
€Antiulcerogenic: A methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera standardized to bacoside-A content given in a dose of 10-50 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days, demonstrated a dose-dependent anti-ulcerogenic on various gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol, aspirin, two hour cold restraint stress and four hour pylorus ligation. In doses of 20 mg/kg, given for 10 days twice daily, the extract was shown to have healing effects against experimentally-induced ulcers, the researchers speculating that the mechanisms of action included enhanced mucin secretion and antioxidant effects (Sairam et al 2001).
€Antispasmodic: A Bacopa monniera extract was found to inhibit the spontaneous movements of both guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum, reducing acetylcholine and histamine, and calcium chloride-induced responses (Dar and Channa 1999).
Toxicity: No data found.
Indications: Mental fatigue, poor memory, depression, psychosis, dementia, epilepsy, neuralgia, weakness, fatigue, debility, aging, infertility, fever, skin diseases, atherosclerosis, angina, hoarseness, bronchitis, asthma, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, splenomegaly, ascites, urinary tenesmus, musculoskeletal inflammation, anemia, poisoning.
Contraindications: Pittakopa in high doses;use with extreme caution with antiseizure, antipsychotic, and antidepressant medication.
Medicinal uses: Brahmi is among the more important botanicals used in the treatment of unmada (psychosis) and apasmara (epilepsy), often taken by itself in the form of the fresh juice, mixed with honey, or in complex polyherbal formulations. One remedy mentioned by the Chakradatta is Brahmighrita, prepared by cooking one part aged ghee in four parts fresh juice of Brahmi, mixed with the powders of Vacha, Kushta and Shankapushpi (Sharma 2002, 194). This recipe or similar is mentioned also in the Bhavaprakasha and the Ashtanga Hrdaya, used in the treatment of unmada, apasmara and spiritual possession, taken in doses of 12 grams, with warm water or milk (Srikanthamurthy 2000, 313; 1995, 60). The Sharangadhara samhita recommends a similar preparation in the treatment of unmada, comprised of the fresh juices of equal parts Brahmi, Kushmanda, and Shankhini (i.e. Shankapushpi), mixed with Kushta churna and honey (Srikanthamurthy 1984, 53). A simpler preparation is made by decocting one part of the dried herb or fresh juice in four parts ghee and sixteen water until all the water is evaporated. The resultant preparation is filtered and then applied as a nasya in doses of five drops per nostril in the treatment mental disorders. A similar preparation but using sesame or coconut oil results in a preparation that can be massaged into the feet, large joints and ears before sleep in the treatment of anxiety and depression. The Bhaisajaratnavali mentions a complex formulation called Sarasvatarishta, a fermented beverage in which Brahmi is the major constituent, used in the treatment of infertility, epilepsy and mental disorders, dosed between 12-24 mL twice daily. According to the Bhavaprakasha, a lehya prepared from equal parts Brahmi, Vacha, Haritaki, Vasaka and Pippali mixed with honey is an effective treatment for hoarseness, enabling the patient to "be able to sing along with the divine nymphs within seven days" (Srikanthamurthy 2000, 263). Combined with equal parts Ashvagandha and Kapikachu, Brahmi may be helpful in the treatment of Parkison¹s disease and epilepsy. In the treatment of Alzhemier¹s disease, Brahmi may be helpful when combined with botanicals such as Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthoides), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and Haridra. In childhood ADD/ADHD, autism, and PDD Brahmi may be of great help, used along with herbs such as Ling zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Milky Oat seed (Avena sativa), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Ashvagandha. In unipolar depressive states and chronic fatigue Brahmi may be helpful when used along with equal parts St. John¹s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Damiana (Turnera diffusa), Vervain (Verbena hastata) and American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium). In the treatment of addiction and withdrawal, Brahmi may be helpful when taken with equal parts California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Milky Oats, Ashvagandha and Skullcap, used in high doses as a weaning agent, or to reduce usage. In the treatment of hypothyroid conditions Brahmi may be helpful when combined with equal parts each of Guggul and Kelp (Fucus vesiculosis), with one half part each Iris root (Iris versicolor) and Oregon Grape root (Mahonia aquifolium). As a nootropic agent Brahmi can be taken by itself or with other similar herbs such as Mandukaparni, as the svarasa (fresh juice) or hima (infusion) to improve memory and retention by students, but only when taken regularly throughout a semester, not the evening before an exam.
Dosage:
•Churna: 3-10 g, b.i.d.-t.i.d.
•Svarasa:10-25 mL, b.i.d.-t.i.d.
•Hima: 1:4, 30-120 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.
•Taila: 1:4, ghee, 12 g b.i.d.-t.i.d.; as abhyanga ad lib.; as nasya 5 gtt. in each nostril sd.
€Tincture: 1:2, fresh plant; 1:4 recently dried herb, 1-10 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.
References:
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Chakravarty AK, Garai S, Masuda K, Nakane T, Kawahara N. 2003. Bacopasides III-V: Three New Triterpenoid Glycosides from Bacopa monniera. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2003 Feb;51(2):215-7
Chowdhuri DK, Parmar D, Kakkar P, Shukla R, Seth PK, Srimal RC. 2002. Antistress effects of bacosides of Bacopa monniera: modulation of Hsp70 expression, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome P450 activity in rat brain. Phytother Res. Nov;16(7):639-45
Dar A, Channa S. 1999. Calcium antagonistic activity of Bacopa monniera on vascular and intestinal smooth muscles of rabbit and guinea-pig. J Ethnopharmacol. Aug;66(2):167-74
Das A, Shanker G, Nath C, Pal R, Singh S, Singh H. 2002. A comparative study in rodents of standardized extracts of Bacopa monniera and Ginkgo biloba: anticholinesterase and cognitive enhancing activities. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. Nov;73(4):893-900
Garai S, Mahato SB, Ohtani K, Yamasaki K. 1996a. Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from Bacopa monniera. Phytochemistry 1996 Jun;42(3):815-20
Garai S, Mahato SB, Ohtani K, Yamasaki K. 1996b. Bacopasaponin D‹a pseudojujubogenin glycoside from Bacopa monniera. Phytochemistry. Sep;43(2):447-9
Hou CC, Lin SJ, Cheng JT, Hsu FL. 2002. Bacopaside III, bacopasaponin G, and bacopasides A, B, and C from Bacopa monniera. J Nat Prod. Dec;65(12):1759-63
Kar A, Panda S, Bharti S. 2002. Relative efficacy of three medicinal plant extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice. J Ethnopharmacol. Jul;81(2):281-5
Mahato SB, Garai S, Chakravarty AK. 2000. Bacopasaponins E and F: two jujubogenin bisdesmosides from Bacopa monniera. Phytochemistry. Mar;53(6):711-4
Rastogi S, Pal R, KulshreshthaDK. 1994. Bacoside A3--a triterpenoid saponin from Bacopa monniera. Phytochemistry. May;36(1):133-7
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