Brahmi ( Bacopa monneiri) Part 2
Brahmi ( Bacopa monneiri) Part 2
Phytochemistry
The phytochemistry of Brahmi (Bacopa
monnieri) has been extensively studied. The phytochemicals present in the
plant are:
Saponins called
“bacosides” Bacosides are a complex mixture of structurally closely related
compounds, glycosides of either jujubogenin or pseudojujubogenin. Bacosides
comprise a family of 12 known analogues. They are grouped as major
bacopasaponins and minor bacopasaponins. Major bacopasaponins are: bacosides
A3, bacopaside II, bacopaside I, bacopaside X,
bacopaside N2, bacopasaponin C. Minor components are: bacopasaponin E,
bacopasaponin F, bacopaside N1, bacopaside III, bacopaside IV and bacopaside V.
Hersaponin
Five
cucurbitacins: bacitracin A to E.
Three
phenylethanoid glycosides: monnieraside I-III.
They are isolated from aerial parts of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).
Plantioside
B
Two
dammarane jujubogenin bisdesmosides bacopasaponins
E and F
Sterol
glycoside bacosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
A
new Matsutaka alcohol derivative,
(3R)-l-octan-3-γl-(6-O-sulphonyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside
Two
flavonoids: leuteolin and apigenin,
Alkaloids:
brahmine, nicotinine and herpestine
Brahmi
(Bacopa monnieri) also contains betulinic acid, D-mannitol,
stigmastanol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol
----Shalini Lal et al, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile
of Bacopa monnieri-An Ethnomedicinal Plant, International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, (2019), 1-230
----https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/172494/10/10_chapter%204.pdf
Identity, Purity and strength as per international
guidelines
Foreign
matter: Not more than 2
percent
Total
Ash: Not more than 18
percent
Acid-insoluble
Ash: Not more than 6
percent
Sulfated
ash: Not more than 20
percent
Alcohol-soluble
extractive: Not more than 6
percent
Water
soluble extractive: Not less
than 15 percent
Loss
on drying: Not more than
14 percent
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1, Volume-II
Heavy
Metal Analysis as per international guidelines
Element Permissible Limits
Arsenic Not more than 5 to 10 mg/kg
Cadmium Not more than 0.03mg/kg
Lead Not more than 5 to 10 mg/kg
Mercury Not more than 0.5 mg/kg
Chromium Not more than 0.3 mg/kg
Permissible
Microbial Load as per international guidelines
Microbial Limits:
Total
bacterial count: Not more
than 105cfu/g
Total yeast
and mould count:
Not more than 104cfu/g
Bile tolerant
gram negative bacteria: Not more
than 104cfu/g
Specific Pathogens: (as per
international guidelines)
Salmonella species:
Absent in 25 g
/none
Escherichia
coli: Absent in 1g / maximum 102
to 104 per gram
Staphylococcus
aureus: Absent in 1g
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa: Absent in 1g
Shigella species:
Enterobacter species: maximum 104 per
gram
Other enterobacteria: maximum 103 per gram
Aerobic bacteria: maximum 105 to 107
per gram
Mould propagules: maximum 103 to 105
per gram
Yeasts and Mould: maximum 103 to 104
per gram
Aflatoxins (as per international
guidelines)
Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin
G1, Aflatoxin G2
Preferably Aflatoxins should be below detectable
limits (BLD)
----Quality control
methods for medicinal plant materials. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1998.
----https://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4927e/21.html
Pesticide
residues (as per international guidelines)
In recent times various pesticides are used to
protect and preserve the food and medicinal values of plants.
To avoid toxicity of herbal medicine, International
Society for Standardization of Drugs and World Health Organization (WHO) have
laid the guidelines for permissible levels of pesticides in herbal medicines.
In general, the pesticide contamination in any
herbal medicine should be less than 1 percent of total intake from all
sources, including food and drinking water.
Aldrin and dieldrin are broad spectrum
pesticides commonly used in agriculture. The recommended maximum limit of these
pesticides is Not more than 0.05
mg/kg.
----Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues, 2 nd
review edition, Geneva, World Health Organization, 1997
----European pharmacopoeia, 3rd edition Strasbourg, Council of
Europe, 1996
Radioactive
residues (as per international guidelines)
A certain amount of exposure to ionizing radiation
of plants cannot be avoided since there are many sources, including
radionuclides occurring naturally in the ground and the atmosphere.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in close
collaboration with several international organizations, has developed
guidelines for permissible and acceptable limits for radioactive residues in
herbal medicines.
The amount of radiation in plants depends on intake
of radionuclides. Significant risk is associated only with consumption of
quantities over 20 kg of plant material per year so that the risk to health is
most unlikely to be encountered given the amount of medicinal plant materials
need to be ingested. Additionally, the level of contamination might be reduced
during the manufacturing process. Therefore World Health Organization (WHO) has
not proposed strict limits regarding the acceptability for radioactive
contamination.
Quality
control methods for medicinal plant materials, Geneva, World Health
Organization, 1998
Genetic
Identity/ DNA sequencing
For medicinal
purposes, it is wont to select Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on the basis of
morphological characteristics such as: leaf
color (green, dark green and yellow-green), stem (thickness and color), leaf
size (large >70 mm2; medium 60-70 mm2;
and small 50-60 mm2) and plant
type (spreading or semi-erect). However morphological
identity is inadequate because of look-alike herbs. More over morphological
characters may not be obvious at all stages of the development of the plant and
appearance may be affected by the environment. Also there is a high genetic
variability in the population.
To overcome
these hindrances, scientists have devised: SSR
(Simple Sequence Repeat), AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism), RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats), RFLP
(Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), PIC (Polymorphic Information Count), DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with the Arithmetic
Averaging Algorithm) and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) methods for accurate
molecular identity of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).
Niraj Tripathi et al, Assessment of genetic variations among highly
endangered medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri (L.) from Central India using
RAPD and ISSR analysis, 3Biotech Volume 2, pages 327-336, 2012
Chromosomal
Identity
The chromosome
number reported in Brahmi (Bacopa minnieri) is 2n=64
Samaddar T. Nath et al, Karyotype analysis of three important
traditional Indian medicinal plants, Bacopa monnieri, Tylophora indica and
Withania somnifera, The Nucleus, 55, 17-20
Ayurvedic properties
Rasa (Taste): Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (bitter), Kashay (astringent)
Weerya (Potency): Sheeta (Cooling)
Wipaaka (Metabolic property after digestion): Madhura (sweet)
Guna: Laghu (Light), Sara (Laxative)
----Bhawaprakaash Nighantu shlokas 280-281
----https://www.amilpharmaceuticals.com/herbs/brahmi/
Gana:
Charaka:
Prajasthapana gana
Sushruta:
Veeratharvadi gana
Warga:
Bhavaprakash
Nighantu: Guduchyaadi varga
Dhanwantari
Nighantu: Karaveeradi varga
Kaiyadeva
Nighantu: Oshadi varga
Raja
Nighantu: Parpatadi varga
Priya
Nighantu: Shatapushpa varga
Madanapala
Nighantu: Abhayadi varga
Nighantu
aadarsha: Tikta lonika varga
Shodala
Nighantu: Karaveeradi varga
Hridaya
Deepika Nighantu: Deepana varga
Shaligrama
Nighantu: Guduchyaadi varga
Dravyaguna
Vignyan (P.V. Sharma): Medhyaadi
varga
Ashalatha M and L. N. Shenoy, A critical Review on Brahmi, http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/141_152.pdf
Effects
on Doshas: Waatahara, Pittakara, Kaphakara. Balances all doshas
Effects
on Dhatus: Balances all dhatus
Effects
on Srotasas: Balances all srotasas. It prominently exerts its action on the nervous system.
Being a neurotropic agent, it is beneficial in neurologic and psychiatric
disorders. It has sedative as well as stimulant nervine effects
Brahmi: “Herb of Grace”, Calofornia College of Ayurveda, www.ayurvedacollege.com>Ayurveda life
Ayurvedic
actions (Karma)
Medhya:
Beneficial for intellect, promoting intelligence
Prajnyasthapana: Stabilizes intellectual power
Matiprada: Gives knowledge
Smrutiprada:
Increases memory
Mohahara:
Antagonizes greed, abnormal longings
Aayushya:
Promoting longevity
Jeevaneeya: Improves life energy
Rasaayana:
Rejuveniting
Vayasthapaka:
Stabilizes age
Balya: Improves physical and mental strength
Swarya: Beneficial for voice, Relieves hoarseness of voice,
Improves quality of voice
Majjadhatu
Rasaayana: Rejuvenates bone marrow,
Rejuvenates nervous system
Nidrajanana:
Induces sleep
Unmaadad: Treats neuroses, Mania, Psychosis
Apasmaara:
For the treatment of epilepsy
Kaasaghna:
Antitussive, Useful for the treatment of bronchitis
Hridya: Beneficial to heart
Warnya
(Varnya): improves complexion
Shothhara:
Anti-inflammatory, Relieves edema
Deepana:
Appetizer
Anulomana: Prokinetic, Antiflatulent, Carminative
Kushthaghna:
Antileprotic, Useful for the treatment of skin
diseases
Pandu: Treats anemia
Pleehawridhi: For the treatment of splenomegaly
Meha: Treats diabetes
Vishaghna/Vishahara:
Useful for the treatment of poisoning
Arsha:
Treats Piles, Anal fissures
Jwara:
Treats fevers (PUOs)
Ruk: Analgesic, Relieves pain
Kandughna: Antipruriric
----The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1, Volume-II
----Ashalatha M and L. N. Shenoy,
A critical Review on Brahmi, http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/141_152.pdf
Modern View
Bacosides
Bacosides are a complex mixture
of structurally closely related compounds, glycosides of either jujubogenin or
pseudojujubogenin. Bacosides comprise a family of 12 known analogues. They are
grouped as major bacopasaponins and minor bacopasaponins. Major bacopasaponins
are: bacosides A3, bacopaside II, bacopaside I, bacopaside X, bacopaside N2, bacopasaponin C. Minor
components are: bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, bacopaside N1, bacopaside
III, bacopaside IV and bacopaside
V.
Shalini
Lal et al, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Bacopa monnieri-An
Ethnomedicinal Plant, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Research, (2019), 1-230
Bacoside A
Molecular
Formula: C41H68O13
(Pubchem)
Structural
Formula:
Bacoside A is a mixture of chemical compounds known
as bacosides. Its major constituents include bacoside A3, bacoside
II (jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C) and bacopasaponin C. The mixture has
been studied for its potential of neuroprotectivity in in vitro
experiments and animal models.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacoside_A
Bacoside B was found to be identical to Bacoside A
in respect to their carbohydrate and aglycone moieties. But bacoside A is
levo-rotatory and bacoside B is dextro-rotatory. Both are nootropic.
Pharmacologically, bacoside A is more active than bacoside B
M. Deepak and A. Amit, The need for
establishing identities of ‘bacosides A and B’, the putative major bioactive
saponins of Indian medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri, Phytomedicine,11:264-268m
2004
Recent clinical trials indicate
that bacosides exert their neuroprotective actions through modulating
antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase etc. they
also regulate the levels of different neurotransmitters in the brain. Hence
they are useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy.
Interestingly bacosides do not exert any side effects in animal models and
human volunteers.
Usual dose of bacosides is 15 to
30 mg 3 times a day
Sukanya
Majumdar et al, Bacosides and Neuroprotections, Natural Products,
First
online 15 May 2013, pp 3639-3660, https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/
Administration of alcoholic
extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) prevented the scopolamine (3mg/kg
bodyweight), sodium nitrite (75mg/kg body weight) and BN52021 (15 mg/kg body
weight) experimental amnesia induced in mice. This effect of improving
antegrade amnesia induced by scopolamine and sodium nitrite was possibly by improving
acetylcholine level and hypoxic conditions respectively. The effect of
improving amnesia was attributed to bacosides present in Brahmi (Bacopa
monnieri). Besides this bacosides also reversed BN52021 induced retrograde
amnesia, probably due to increase in platelet activating factor (PAF) synthesis
by enhancing cerebral glutamate level. From these studies it can be said that
bacosides and entire Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) plant are not merely
memory enhancers but can be useful for the treatment of amnesias arising from
various causes.
Komal
Kishore et al, Effect of bacosides, alcoholic extract of Bacopa monnieri Linn.
(brahmi), on experimental amnesia in mice, Indian J of Exp Biol. 2005 Jul; 43
(7): 640-5
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
and bacosides are extensively used as neuromedicine for the treatment of
various disorders such as anxiety, depression and memory loss. Chemical
characterization studies showed that powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenging
activity of bacoside A is vital for this neuroprotection. Free radical
scavenging, suppression of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidant
enzymes by bacosides help to attain a physiological state of minimized
oxidative stress. The neuroprotective activity of bacosides is attributed to
the regulation of mRNA (messenger ribinucleic acid) translation and surface
expression of neuro-receptors such as AMPAR (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic
acid receptor, also known as AMPA receptor or quisqualate receptor), NMDAR
(N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, also known as NMDA receptor) and GABAR (Gamma
aminobutyric acid) in various parts of the brain. The binding of bacosides to
these receptors is controlled by BBB (Blood Brain Barrier).
[Note: AMPAR and NMDAR are
glutamate receptors. Glutamate is involved in learning process.]
Vini
C. Sekhar et al, Insights into the Molecular Aspects of Neuroprotective
Bacoside A and Bacopaside, Curr Neuropharmacol 2019 May 17(5):438-446
Cognitive impairment is a
debilitating symptom of schizophrenia, Alzheizemer’s disease etc. Brahmi (Bacopa
monnieri) or bacoside A and B could be novel nueroprotective agents. They
can not only prevent the memory loss but help to restore the memory loss. They
exert their action via Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 2 (VGLUT 2) in cingular
gyrus
T.
Wetchateng et al, EPA-0117-The use of bacosides a and b to prevent a cogniticve
deficit in schizophrenia rat models resulting in increased vesicular glutamate
transporter 2 (VGLUT2) in cingular gyrus, European Psychiatry, Volume 29
Supplement 1 2014 Page 1
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
at a dose of 40 and 80 mg/kg bodyweight is found to be useful in the treatment
of neuropathic pain. This result is comparable to the effect of 75mg/kg
bodyweight of gabapentin. The effect is attributed to bacoside a and b.
Muhammad Shahid et al, A bacosides containing Bacopa monnieri
extract alleviates allodynia and hyperalgesia in the chronic constriction
injury model of neuropathic pain in rats, BMC Complimentary and Alternative
Medicine volume 17, Article number: 293 (2017)
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