Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri Benefits

How Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri benefits were found?

The entire Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri plant is medicinally used. It was believed that the term Brahmi name comes from ‘Brahma’ – the Hindu creator-god. Since 1400 years, It is an indispensable herbal ingredient in Ayurvedic medicinal practice for its psychostimulants and neuronal nourishment properties. Time around 6th century A.D., the benefits of Brahmi was first documented in Athar-Ved, Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. In these most ancient renowned medicinal documentations explained the efficacy of Brahmi to sharpen intelligence and alleviate mental deficit conditions. It had anticipated that ancient Vedic scholars might use this herbal ingredient to memorize lengthy scriptures and consecrated hymns. In Ayurvedic medicine, Brahmi is one of the common prescribes herbal regimen for cognitive dysfunction. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) in combination with Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) is one of the most potent combinations for an intellect-sharpening agent.

India and Australia are two native places of Brahmi. This perennial creeper plant with small oblong leaves and purple flowers has also widely grown in the United States and East Asia. [1] In the Ayurvedic medicinal system, Brahmi is considered as a potent nootropic, which acts on the central nervous system to improve memory and intelligence, and also to treat anxiety and lack of concentration. This herb is a common ingredient of nerve tonic. Apart from this, Brahmi also has other therapeutic applications in Ayurveda including cardiotonic, diuretic, nervine, different inflammatory conditions like arthritis, asthma. Research document also supported this herb can modulate systemic inflammation. An animal research result documented its anti-inflammatory property against arthritis. [2]

What are the Phytochemicals Present in Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri?

The primary phytochemical of Brahmi is bacosides, a triterpenoid saponin. The broad bacosides profile includes bacopaside I, bacoside A3, bacopaside II, bacopasaponin C isomer, and bacopasaponin. The other significant phytochemical constituents are the alkaloids brahmine, herpestine, nicotine, apigenin, cucurbitacins, d-mannitol, hersaponin, monnierasides I–III, and plantainoside B. [1]

What is the Mode of action of Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri Health Benefits?

Different research results explain the mechanism of action of Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri include anti-oxidant property which gives neuroprotection, along with the inhibitory effect of acetylcholinesterase, activation of choline acetyltransferase, reduction of β-amyloid, enhance and modulate cerebral blood flow, and monoamine potentiation.[1]

Anti-Oxidant

Bacoside A present in Brahmi acts against oxidative stress by significantly enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase in the brain. [1]

Cerebral Blood Flow Enhancement 

Brahmi acts as a vasodilator by releasing nitric oxide from the endothelium and inhibiting calcium fluctuations in and out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the brain. This benefit is significant in a combination of Brahmi and Gingko biloba. [1]

Neurotransmitter Potentiation

Neurotransmitter potentiation of Brahmi is exhibited due to its adaptogenic quality. Combination with another herbal adaptogen like Panax ginseng Brahmi significantly elevates the levels of noradrenaline, Dopamine and 5- hydroxytryptamine in the cortex and the hippocampus of the brain. [1]

Inhibition of β-Amyloid Formation

Brahmi prevents β-amyloid plaques aggregation. Preclinical research reported that Brahmi can reverse scopolamine-induced amnesia by significantly improve calmodulin activity and partially attenuating changes of protein kinase C. [1]

Modulate Dendritic Morphology

Brahmi can modulate the dendritic morphology of neurons present in the basolateral amygdala (a region implicated in learning and memory) by increasing the dendritic length and branching points within this region. Thus, this herb can improve learning and memory. [1]

What are the different forms of Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri?

There are different formulations are available in the Ayurvedic medicinal system. The recommended dose is 300mg per day. Some combination therapy like Brahmi and ginger is recommended for stomach upset and appetite suppression.

• The combination of Brahmi and Vacha improves mental health and cognitive functioning.
• Combination of Brahmi with Gotu Kola, Tagarah and Jatamansi help to induce sleep due to its sedative effect.
• Combination of Brahmi with Ashwagandha, Shankhapushpi, Kappikachhu, and Kushta acts as a nervine tonic.
• A combination of Brahmi with Neem, turmeric, and Manjishta improves skin condition.
• Cumin, fennel, ajwain along with Brahmi combination therapy acts as intestinal relaxing ability. [3]

Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri Uses

Effective against Alzheimer’s Disease and Schizophrenia

The memory-boosting property of Brahmi is beneficial for Alzheimer’s disease affected patients. This herb increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Brahmi is also effective against the fear condition, freeze response, and amnesia. Brahmi enhances hippocampus-dependent contextual memory and its neuroprotective effect improves cognitive ability in Alzheimer’s disease affected patients. The animal test has reported evidence of the same benefits. [4]

Beneficial for Parkinson’s Disease Affected Patients

Laboratory-based research result reported that treatment of Brahmi helps in reduction of alpha-synuclein accumulation, prevent dopaminergic cell death and restore the lipid content in this Parkinson’s disease model. It has also examined the treatment with Brahmi could improve the climbing ability and activity pattern in Parkinson’s disease patients as the same result obtained from animal research. It reduces oxidative stress and apoptosis in neurological tissue present in the brain. [4]

Brain Stroke Prevention

Ischemic condition is associated with brain stroke. This condition arises due to the reduction of blood circulation in cerebral arteries and resultant of this leads to a lack of oxygen supply. Ingestion of Brahmi induces Ischemic-reperfusion and helps to balance oxygen supply in brain tissue by increasing cerebral blood flow without affected blood pressure. [4]

Treatment of Epilepsy

Brahmi has an anticonvulsant effect. Supplementation of Brahmi effective to manage the neurotransmitter balance in the cerebral cortex and neuroprotective role prevent excitotoxicity and hypoxic condition. [4]

Antidepressant Activity

Brahmi shows anti-depressant property by normalizing brain-derived neurotrophic factors containing in the frontal cortex and hippocampus areas to exerts antidepressant activity. [4]

Anti-Anxiety Effects

Anxiety can be acute or chronic. In both, the condition Brahmi is a useful remedy. Brahmi supplementation cure underlying neuronal changes occur during mental stress. This herb ingestion normalizes corticosterone hormonal levels. It also regulates neurotransmitter activities. Brahmi declines norepinephrine level and enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. [4]

Antioxidant Effects

Environmental pollution is one of the primary causes of free radical generation. Brahmi treatment extinguishes reactive oxygen species not only from the brain tissue but also from other organs including lungs after exposure to air pollution (smoke exposure). Brahmi normalizes acetylcholine esterase activity, brain neurotransmitter levels, and lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant enzyme concentration and monoamine oxidase activity usually depleted in exposure to a polluted environment. But, Brahmi alters these pathophysiological conditions by improving antioxidant enzymes level in our body. [4]

Gastrointestinal Disorders

An animal research result had proved that Brahmi could prevent diarrhea. It also has anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, which exerts ulcer protection. Brahmi also has ulcer curative property due to its antioxidant property. Ingestion of Brahmi can strengthen the mucosal barrier and reduce mucosal exfoliation by reducing the lipid peroxidation rate.

The ayurvedic formulation prepared by a combination of Brahmi and Aegle marmelos herbs has the therapeutic capacity to irritable bowel syndrome. This beneficial effect was tested through a clinical trial. [4]

Thyroid Abnormality

Brahmi intake increases T4 hormone synthesis by 41% without affecting T3 synthesis, which indicates this herb may not have any interference in T4 to T3 conversion. [4]

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Brahmi containing triterpenoids and bacosides inhibits Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha synthesis. This herb also down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines such as nitric oxide and TNF-α. Moreover, prostaglandin synthesis and lysosomal membranes rapture also inhibited by Brahmi. All these mechanisms provide both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. There are researches has found its efficacy against brain tissue inflammation.

Benefits of Cardiac and other Smooth Muscle

• Brahmi acts as a cardiac and smooth muscle relaxant property.
• It increases the blood flow to the cardiac muscle.
• It prevents bronchospasm by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles, pulmonary arteries, aorta, and trachea.
• It also prevents an allergic reaction by stabilizes mast cells.[4]

Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri Side Effects

Short term therapy is safe for an adult. Some common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, stomach cramps, increase bowel movements, and fatigue.

When should I avoid Mimosa root?

• During pregnancy and lactation, women should avoid intake of Brahmi due to a lack of safety data.
• Brahmi should not ingest in the cardiac condition associated with a slow heart rate as it has cardiac relaxant property, which could further slow down the heart rate.
• Individuals with intestinal blockage issue because Brahmi intake worsens the condition by creating intestinal congestion.
• Brahmi can cause urinary outflow and may not appropriate for the patient has a treatment regimen to obstruct the urinary flow.
• The increased secretion due to the intake of Brahmi may not be beneficial for patients with asthma and ulcer.
• Patients with hyperthyroidism should avoid Brahmi as this herb also enhance thyroid hormone secretion. [5]

References

1. NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF THE NOOTROPIC HERB BACOPA MONNIERI.
2. THE AYURVEDIC PLANT BACOPA MONNIERI INHIBITS INFLAMMATORY PATHWAYS IN THE BRAIN.
3. THE USE OF BRAHMI FOR ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) IN CHILDREN: A REVIEW BY DEBORAH BERGER. 
4. THE MOLECULAR LINKS OF RE-EMERGING THERAPY: A REVIEW OF EVIDENCE OF BRAHMI (BACOPA MONNIERA).
5. BACOPA.