ABSTRACT
Bacopa monnieri is a small creeping perennial herb from the Scrophulariaceae family that has been used in several systems of medicine for curing various diseases, especially as traditional remedy for cognition enhancing. A wide range of chemical compounds have been isolated from this plant, but the major chemical constituents present are bacoside A, which occurs as a mixture of bacoside-A3, bacopaside-II, bacopasaponin-C, and jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin-C that, along with bacopaside-I, constituted more than 96% of the total saponins of Bacopa monnieri. Recently specific standardised extracts of Bacopa monnieri have emerged that have been subjected to rigorous in vitro, animal and human clinical trials, however the special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) is considered a safe and efficacious cognitive enhancer. In vitro, Bacopa monnieri has significant antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumour and immunomodulatory properties. Animal studies have demonstrated potent anti-amnesic, neuroprotective, antiepileptic, antidepressant, analgesic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and chemopreventive potential. Several clinical trials examining the cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective effects in healthy individuals, as well as in various neurodegenerative diseases, have been reported. Adverse reactions to Bacopa monnieri preparations are minor and include nausea, headache and gastrointestinal complaints. This chapter summarises the information concerning the botanical features, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical trials and toxicology of the Bacopa monnieri plant.
