Bacosides enrichment does not improve the anti-amnesic effect of Bacopa monnieri: behavioural and biochemical evidences

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (BM) has been traditionally used in Ayurveda for improving memory and cognitive deficits which is also evidenced through experimental and clinical studies. The neuropharmacological properties of BM are attributed to “bacosides”, a complex mixture of saponin compounds. BM extracts enriched with bacosides offers commercial advantage due to perceived higher efficacy. However, there is no scientific data to support the same. In the present study, methanolic extract of BM (BME) was compared with bacosides enriched (BME-EF) vis a vis bacosides free fraction (BME-FF). Potential antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity has been evaluated using in vitro and in vivo methods. BME showed not only the highest anti-amnesic efficacy but also antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity, followed by either BME-FF or BME-EF. Interestingly, no significant differences were found in between the groups. These findings dispel the notion that bacosides enrichment enhances anti-amnesic efficacy and also suggests the contribution of other components.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Amnesia
• Bacopa monnieri
• bacosides enriched fraction
• bacosides free fraction
• free radicals
• scopolamine

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Natural Remedies Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, for providing the drug extracts and in vitro lab facilities for the present study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.