Brahmi is a single-herb formulation prepared from the whole plant extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Brahmi improves cognitive performance and is recommended in the management of memory and learning disorders.
Bacosides A and B in Brahmi improve memory and intelligence by increasing protein synthesis (N-methyl D-aspartic acid [NMDA] and y-amino butyric acid [GABA]) in brain cells. Brahmi enhances memory by neuroprotection and decreased neuronal degeneration. Brahmi exhibits anxiolytic activity by mitigating anxiety-induced behavioral changes. Brahmi exhibits significant antioxidant activity by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the brain regions. The adaptogenic activity of Brahmi is beneficial in the management of acute stress. Brahmi reverses oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration by increasing the activities of SOD,CAT, and GPx in brain regions.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Memory-enhancing and learning capacity-enhancing activities
Brahmi, a well-known nootropic herb, is being used in Ayurveda for centuries as a memory enhancer.
Brahmi is a popular remedy for learning and memory enhancement. Active molecules such as bacosides A and B enhance memory and intelligence levels by increasing protein synthesis in the brain cells of the cerebrum. Receptors, specifically, NMDA and GABA, which are activated by bacosides A and B, have been implicated in promoting learning and memory. Brahmi extract showed high affinity to both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors where GABA-B antagonists enhance memory, and the NMDA receptor has the ability to mediate synaptic plasticity.2 Brahmi decreases the rate of forgetfulness of newly acquired information.
The major chemical constituents of Brahmi responsible for enhancing memory-facilitating action are the steroidal saponins and bacosides A and B. It has been suggested that bacosides induce membrane dephosphorylation with a concomitant increase in protein and RNA turnover in specific brain areas. Another proposed mechanism is that Brahmi enhances protein kinase activity in the hippocampus, which may also contribute to its nootropic action and thus aids in the repair of damaged neurons.
Benzodiazepines including diazepam cause amnesia. The mechanism of benzodiazepine action is known to occur through the GABA receptors. Benzodiazepine binding sites are present on GABA receptors in the hippocampal neurons. The blocking of long-term potentiation (LTP) in slices of the hippocampus and piriform cortex by benzodiazepines has been suggested to occur by increased action on GABA mediated inhibitory potentials, possibly mediating the amnesic effects of benzodiazepines. Diazepam, when administered before LTP, potentiates amplitude and prolongs the decay of GABA-A receptor mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Brahmi reverses diazepam-induced anterograde amnesia by combination of its antioxidant and cholinergic activities.
2. Cognitive performance-improving activity
Hypobaric hypoxia is a condition where oxygen delivery tissues is reduced due to decreased partial pressure of oxygen. Brahmi extract, a known memory enhancer, facilitates cognitive functions as well as augments mental retention capacity and provides neuroprotection.
Brahmi is found to decrease oxidative stress, plasma corticosterone level, and neuronal sed degeneration. Bacoside administration also increases cytochrome c oxidase activity along with a concomitant increase in ATP level. Hence, administration of bacosides could be a useful therapeutic strategy in ameliorating hypobaric hypoxia-induced cognitive dysfunctions and other related neurological disorders.
3. Anxiolytic activity
Brahmi is found to produce a dose-related anxiolytic -B activity by mitigating anxiety-induced behavioral changes such as emotional conflicts related to fear and ty² normalizing perturbed behavioral patterns.
4. Adaptogenic activity
In a study, adaptogenic activity (antistress) of Brahmi against acute stress (AS) was evaluated. Exposure to AS significantly increased the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, and levels of plasma glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK), but significantly decreased the spleen weight. A low dose of Brahmi significantly reduced the AS-induced increase in ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, and levels of plasma glucose, AST, and CK a. whereas a high dose significantly reversed the AS to induced changes in adrenal gland weight, spleen weight, and levels of plasma glucose, ALT, and AST
5. Antioxidant activity
Brahmi has been found to increase SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in all the brain regions. The BA- oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration leads to memory deficits and decreases in the frontal cortex and hippocampus acetylcholine concentration, choline acetylase activity, and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. The reversal of this neurotoxin-induced memory dysfunction and deficits in the cholinergic markers by Brahmi can be attributed to its possible antioxidant activity.
Indications
- In the young, for good memory and learning
- In working professionals, for improved mental ability
Due to the lack of safety data, the use of Brahmi during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
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