Bacopa - The Herb of Grace

The brain ingredient from nature's heart

Bacopa otherwise known as Indian pennywort is a creeping medicinal herb native to the wetlands of India, Europe, Africa and America. It is botanically identified as Bacopa monnieri L and documented in the ancient Indian medicinal treatises as far back as the 6th century as Brahmi. It also occupies a predominant place in Chinese medicine. The plant is magnanimously known as “The Herb of Grace” due to its irreplaceable benefits in the field of maintaining health and homeostasis. It miraculously works in promoting cognitive abilities and supports mental health thereby reducing the stress and anxieties which are the unavoidable etiological factors in the present scenario.

The term Brahmi in Sanskrit implies it protect and improve intellectuality and acts as a memory enhancer (बृह्मण: इयम् ब्राह्मी/ Brhmana iyam brahmi). It also has other synonyms like Vayastha (good rejuvenator), Somavalli (creeper with benefits like ambrosia), Mahoushadi (superior medicine) and Saraswathi (a herb considered the Hindu goddess for intellect). This shows the significance of therapeutic activities exhibited by the magical herb. Like all the other bitter medicinal herbs, Brahmi acts as a potent nervine, cardio-tonic and diuretic. It also forms an ingredient in a number of Ayurvedic formulations indicated as nootropic agents.

Uses of Brahmi

Used for improving intellect and mental health.
Considered a good blood purifier.
Beneficial in Epileptic group of syndromes, other central nervous system disorders and behavioural disorders like ADHD.
Positive effect in asthma, hoarseness and other respiratory diseases.
Recommended for treating diarrhoea, skin diseases, diabetes etc.
Applied externally on inflamed joints to relieve oedema and pain.

A wide spectrum of traditional medicinal uses can be picked up from ancient textbooks and modern researchers are now experimenting on the major biomolecules responsible for these activities. It is found that saponins and triterpenes are the important chemical constituents present in Bacopa. The best-characterized phytochemicals in Bacopa are dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins like bacosides, with jujubogenin or pseudo jujubogenin units. Other saponins called bacopasides I-XII were identified to date. Alkaloids like brahmine, herpestine etc are present in the aerial plant parts along with other chemical constituents like apigenin, D-mannitol, cucurbitacin etc.

Pharmacological actions of Brahmi

Neuro-protective
Cardio-protective
Diuretic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Nootropic
Anti-cancerous

Standardized Brahmi extract

Preclinical studies conducted on animals were among the first to investigate the pharmacological effects of Bacopa. Of late, there have been a significant number of studies exploring the activities of Bacopa in humans. The dietary supplement fact sheets published from NIH, U.S Department of Health & Human Services included Bacopa under frequently listed ingredient in the dietary supplement products marketed to improve or maintain memory, learning retention, concentration, focus, and overall health in terms of cognitive function and performance. Some of the latest research has shown improvements in brain health, attention, and memory-related performance tasks after the use of 300-320mg per day of Bacopa as a dietary supplement for 12 weeks. Across supplements, extract dosages range from 300 to 450mg/day.

Brahmi extract specification

Upto 20% bacosides by USP
Upto 40% bacosides by HPLC (Internal)
Upto 50% bacosides by gravimetry
Upto 15% polysaccharides by UV
Upto 10% polysaccharides by HPLC

Full farm traceability | DNA authorization | Organic certified

Customized formulation with popular herbs available
Customized particle density and flow using proprietary technology

Scope of Bacopa extract in nutraceuticals

Contains powerful antioxidants
May reduce inflammation
Supports brain function & memory
May prevent anxiety & stress
May help to reduce blood pressure levels

References

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/
Lewis, John E et al. (2021) “The effects of twenty-one nutrients and phytonutrients on cognitive function: A narrative review.” Journal of clinical and translational research vol. 7,4 575-620. 4 Aug. 2021
Abdul Manap, Aimi Syamima et al. (2019) “Bacopa monnieri, a Neuroprotective Lead in Alzheimer Disease: A Review on Its Properties, Mechanisms of Action, and Preclinical and Clinical Studies.” Drug target insights vol. 13 1177392819866412. 31.

Akay is a leading Bacopa extract manufacturer from India & we offer different specifications as per customer requirements. Get in touch with us to learn more about Bacopa.