Neuroprotective mechanisms of ayurvedic antidementia botanical Bacopa monniera

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dementia. Bacopa monniera is described in the Ayurvedic Materia Medica, as a therapeutically useful herb for the treatment of cognitive impairment, thus supporting its possible anti-Alzheimer's properties. Our studies have shown that Bacopa monniera reduces beta-amyloid deposits in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease animal model. The objective of this study was to establish the presence of endogenous substances in Bacopa monniera extract (BmE) that will impact components of the oxidative stress cascade such as the reduction of divalent metals, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, alterations of lipoxygenase activity and hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. The extract contained polyphenols and sulfhydryl contents suggestive of endogenous antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that BmE reduced divalent metals, dose-dependently scavenged reactive oxygen species, decreased the formation of lipid peroxides and inhibited lipoxygenase activity. These data combined with our previous studies that have shown that BmE treatment reduces beta-amyloid levels in the brain of an Alzheimer's disease doubly transgenic mouse model of rapid amyloid deposition (PSAPP mice) suggesting mechanisms of action relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Cytoprotective propensity of Bacopa monniera against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage in neuronal and lung epithelial cells

“…Bacoside A is a mixture of bacosaponin isomers. These active components facilitate learning and memory and also possess antiamnesic, antistress (Chowdhuri et al 2002), anxiolytic (Ernst 2006), antidementic (Dhawan and Singh 1996), antiulcerogenic, antiarthritis, anti-inflammatory (Channa et al 2006), antifatigue (Anand et al 2012) and neuroprotective properties (Dhanasekharan et al 2007;Pandareesh and Anand 2013). We previously demonstrated the antioxidant and plasmid DNA damage preventive properties of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts from B. monniera (Anand et al 2011).…”

Comparative Clinical Evaluation of an Ayurvedic Regimen in the Management of Senile Dementia

“…along with quality of life 23 . Saraswata Ghrita is a unique combination of such type of Medhya and Rasayana drug described in Bhaisajya Ratnavali, 9 having high contents of Brahmi which is well known drug for its nootropic properties and has been proven through various clinical and experimental study [10][11][12] . Saraswata ghrita also contain Rasayana drug like Haritaki and Amlaki, which have been said to be best among all "Vayasthapana dravya".…”

“…Ayurveda claims that several plants, the "Medhya" plants (intellect promoting) which have been found beneficial in cognitive disorders 8 . Saraswata ghrita mentioned in Bhaisajya Ratnawali Svarbheda Rogadhikar 9 , is a unique combination of Medhya drugs having high content of Brahmi, which is a well known drug for its nootropic and memory enhancing properties through various researches and clinical studies [10][11][12] .…”

Anti-apoptotic mechanism of Bacoside rich extract against reactive nitrogen species induced activation of iNOS/Bax/caspase 3 mediated apoptosis in L132 cell line

“…Bacoside A is a mixture of bacosaponin isomers. B. monniera possesses anti-fatigue (Anand et al 2012), antiamnesic (Bhattacharya et al 2000), anti-stress (Chowdhuri et al 2002), memory enhancing, anxiolytic (Ernst 2006), anti-ulcerogenic, anti-arthritis, antiinflammatory (Channa et al 2006) and neuroprotective properties (Dhanasekharan et al 2007). In addition, the herb is known to possess good amount of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which has strong antioxidant property.…”