Investigating the Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review Focused on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis.

2024-03-25
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) 13(4)
- Luiz José Valotto Neto
- Matheus Reverete de Araujo
- Renato Cesar Moretti Junior
- Nathalia Mendes Machado
- Rakesh Kumar Joshi
- Daiene Dos Santos Buglio
- Caroline Barbalho Lamas
- Rosa Direito
- Lucas Fornari Laurindo
- Masaru Tanaka
- Sandra Maria Barbalho

PubMed: 38671841
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040393

Study Design

Type: Review

The aging of the global population has increased the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions. Bacopa monnieri (BM), an herb with active compounds, such as bacosides A and B, betulinic acid, loliolide, asiatic acid, and quercetin, demonstrates the potential for brain health. Limited research has been conducted on the therapeutic applications of BM in neurodegenerative conditions. This systematic review aims to project BM's beneficial role in brain disorders. BM has anti-apoptotic and antioxidant actions and can repair damaged neurons, stimulate kinase activity, restore synaptic function, improve nerve transmission, and increase neuroprotection. The included twenty-two clinical trials demonstrated that BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems. Moreover, BM can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress. Here, we highlight that BM provides notable therapeutic benefits and can serve as a complementary approach for the care of patients with neurodegenerative conditions associated with brain disorders. This review adds to the growing interest in natural products and their potential therapeutic applications by improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive function and neurodegeneration and informing the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Insights

Bacopa→Improved Attention Span
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Improved Cognitive Function
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Improved Delayed Memory
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Improved Emotional Function
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Improved Sleep Routine
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Anhedonia
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Depression Symptoms
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Hyperactivity
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Impulsivity
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Inflammatory Biomarker Level
Moreover, BM can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Learning Problems
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Nuclear Factor Kappa B Phosphorylation
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Oxidative Stress
Moreover, BM can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bacopa→Reduced Psychiatric Problems
BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small