Bacopa for the Brain: A Smart Addition to Western Medicine

AbascalKathy,; Yarnell, Eric

doi:10.1089/act.2011.17106

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In WT flies, on the other hand, levodopa (68.5%, p < 0.05) treated flies had a significantly decreased climbing ability compared with Zandopa (93.2%) treated flies, although neither had a climbing ability significantly Table 1. Herbs and their dosage as used or recommended for human use, their equivalent per 100 g fly food as converted on the basis of Hong et al (2011) Taking into account that 150 mg of KeenMind extract (Stough, 2008) or BacoMind extract (Abascal and Yarnell, 2011) is equivalent to 3 g dried herb.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Five Ayurvedic Herbs on Locomotor Behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's Disease Model

Jansen

Brogan

Whitworth

et al. 2014

Phytotherapy Research

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Current conventional treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) are aimed at symptom management, as there is currently no known cure or treatment that can slow down its progression. Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, uses a combination of herbs to combat the disease. Herbs commonly used for this purpose are Zandopa (containing Mucuna pruriens), Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica, Sida cordifolia and Bacopa monnieri. In this study, these herbs were tested for their potential ability to improve climbing ability of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) PD model based on loss of function of phosphatase and tensin-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1). Fruit flies were cultured on food containing individual herbs or herbal formulations, a combination of all five herbs, levodopa (positive control) or no treatment (negative control). Tests were performed in both PINK1 mutant flies and healthy wild-type (WT) flies. A significant improvement in climbing ability was observed in flies treated with B. monnieri compared with untreated PINK1 mutant flies. However, a significant decrease in climbing ability was observed in WT flies for the same herb. Centella asiatica also significantly decreased climbing ability in WT flies. No significant effects were observed with any of the other herbs in either PINK1 or WT flies compared with untreated flies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Taking into account that 150 mg of KeenMind extract (Stough, ) or BacoMind extract (Abascal and Yarnell, ) is equivalent to 3 g dried herb.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Five Ayurvedic Herbs on Locomotor Behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's Disease Model

Jansen

Brogan

Whitworth

et al. 2014

Phytotherapy Research

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“…Other constituents include bacopasaponins D, E and F as well as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phytosterols [ 77 , 78 ]. Some of the chemical constituents of EBm are lipophilic [ 79 , 80 ]. This means that they can combine with or dissolve in lipids giving them the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.…”

Section: What Is Bacopa Monnieri ?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacopa monnierias an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain

Simpson

Pase

Stough

2015

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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The detrimental effect of neuronal cell death due to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The Indian herb Bacopa monnieri is a dietary antioxidant, with animal and in vitro studies indicating several modes of action that may protect the brain against oxidative damage. In parallel, several studies using the CDRI08 extract have shown that extracts of Bacopa monnieri improve cognitive function in humans. The biological mechanisms of this cognitive enhancement are unknown. In this review we discuss the animal studies and in vivo evidence for Bacopa monnieri as a potential therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. We suggest that future studies incorporate neuroimaging particularly magnetic resonance spectroscopy into their randomized controlled trials to better understand whether changes in antioxidant status in vivo cause improvements in cognitive function.

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“…In Southern India, B. monnieri has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for 3000 years under the name brahmi. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word brahma , which means ‘god’ in the Hindu religion, the ubiquitous creative power considered the equivalent of Prajapati [ 243 , 244 , 245 ].…”

Section: Specific Nootropic Herb Shrub and Tree Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers

Malík

Tlustos

2023

Plants

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Plant-based nootropics are a diverse group of natural drugs that can improve cognitive abilities through various physiological mechanisms, especially in cases where these functions are weakened or impaired. In many cases, the nootropics enhance erythrocyte plasticity and inhibit aggregation, which improves the blood’s rheological properties and increases its flow to the brain. Many of these formulations possess antioxidant activity that protects brain tissue from neurotoxicity and improves the brain’s oxygen supply. They can induce the synthesis of neuronal proteins, nucleic acids, and phospholipids for constructing and repairing neurohormonal membranes. These natural compounds can potentially be present in a great variety of herbs, shrubs, and even some trees and vines. The plant species reviewed here were selected based on the availability of verifiable experimental data and clinical trials investigating potential nootropic effects. Original research articles, relevant animal studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and clinical trials were included in this review. Selected representatives of this heterogeneous group included Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., Ginkgo biloba L., Lepidium meyenii Walp., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Paullinia cupana Kunth, Rhodiola rosea L., Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. The species are depicted and described, together with their active components and nootropic effects, and evidence of their efficacy is presented. The study provides brief descriptions of the representative species, their occurrence, history, and the chemical composition of the principle medicinal compounds, with uses, indications, experimental treatments, dosages, possible side effects, and contraindications. Most plant nootropics must be taken at optimal doses for extended periods before measurable improvement occurs, but they are generally very well tolerated. Their psychoactive properties are not produced by a single molecule but by a synergistic combination of several compounds. The available data suggest that including extracts from these plants in medicinal products to treat cognitive disorders can have substantial potential therapeutic benefits.

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Bacopa for the Brain: A Smart Addition to Western Medicine

Cited by 9 publications

References 22 publications

Effects of Five Ayurvedic Herbs on Locomotor Behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's Disease Model

Effects of Five Ayurvedic Herbs on Locomotor Behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's Disease Model

Bacopa monnierias an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain

Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers

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