The Experts below are selected from a list of 3927 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Con Stough - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Cognitive training and Bacopa monnieri: Evidence for a combined intervention to alleviate age associated cognitive decline.
Medical Hypotheses, 2016Co-Authors: Grace M. Mcphee, Luke A. Downey, Anthony M. Noble, Con StoughAbstract:As the elderly population grows the impact of age associated cognitive decline as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia will increase. Ageing is associated with consistent impairments in cognitive processes (e.g., processing speed, memory, executive function and learning) important for work, well-being, life satisfaction and overall participation in society. Recently, there has been increased effort to conduct research examining methods to improve cognitive function in older citizens. Cognitive training has been shown to improve performance in some cognitive domains; including memory, processing speed, executive function and attention in older adults. These cognitive changes are thought to be related to improvements in brain connectivity and neural circuitry. Bacopa monnieri has also been shown to improve specific domains of cognition, sensitive to age associated cognitive decline (particularly processing speed and memory). These Bacopa monnieri dependent improvements may be due to the increase in specific neuro-molecular mechanisms implicated in the enhancement of neural connections in the brain (i.e. synaptogenesis). In particular, a number of animal studies have shown Bacopa monnieri consumption upregulates calcium dependent kinases in the synapse and post-synaptic cell, crucial for strengthening and growing connections between neurons. These effects have been shown to occur in areas important for cognitive processes, such as the hippocampus. As Bacopa monnieri has shown neuro-molecular mechanisms that encourage synaptogenesis, while cognitive training enhances brain connectivity, Bacopa monnieri supplementation could theoretically enhance and strengthen synaptic changes acquired through cognitive training. Therefore, the current paper hypothesises that the combination of these two interventions could improve cognitive outcomes, over and above the effects of administrating these interventions independently, as an effective treatment to ameliorate age associated cognitive decline.
-
A systematic review of the Ayurvedic medicinal herb Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: James D Kean, Luke A. Downey, Con StoughAbstract:Abstract Objectives Clinicians utilise critical research to advance their knowledge when prescribing standard and alternative therapies for developmental disorders. Recent research has reported that the traditional Ayurvedic medicine Bacopa monnieri may improve cognitive outcomes in adult populations; however, few studies have investigated its benefits in younger cohorts. The aim of the current review is to systematically assess and critically summarize clinical trial outcomes and safety of Bacopa and its effects on the cognition and behaviour in children and adolescents. Method PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google and CINAHL were searched up to August 2015 for trials investigating Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations. There were no restrictions in study design. Cognitive and behavioural outcomes were grouped into validated constructs and effect sizes were calculated for all significant data to allow for direct comparisons. Results Five studies met inclusion criteria for this review. The results demonstrated significant consistent improvements in the language behaviour cognitive domain and in a number of the memory sub-domains. Significant improvements were also seen in hyperactivity and attention-deficit domains. Overall outcome data demonstrated small to medium effect sizes (mean d = 0.42). Safety and tolerability data was well reported for 80% of studies with only 2.3% of all participants reporting mild side-effects. Conclusion This review highlights the safe use of Bacopa monnieri in child and adolescent populations for improving elements of cognition as well as behaviour and attention-deficit domains. However, there is a significant need for replicated study designs and stringent statistical analysis to validate these outcomes.
-
Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Safety of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) for Cognitive and Brain Enhancement
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Con Stough, Hemant K. Singh, Andrea ZangaraAbstract:The plant Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop, Brahmi, thyme-leaved Gratiola, herb of grace, and Indian pennywort) is a perennial, creeping herb native to the wet lands of India, particularly northeast and southern regions. Bacopa is an important plant of Ayurveda, where it is named as Brahmi, after Lord Brahma, the mythological creator of the world and originator of the science of Ayurveda. Bacopa is frequently mentioned in the religious, social, and medical treatises of India since the time of Vedic civilization. Its antiquity can be traced to the time of Athar Ved (the science of well-being) written in 800 BC where Bacopa finds a mention in the very first verse of the third chapter of Athar Samhita (compilation on the factors promoting well-being). More recently researchers have turned their attention to better understanding the mechanisms and efficacy of various extracts of Bacopa monnieri on human conditions. Although extracts of Bacopa have been studied and used to treat various disorders for centuries (pain, epilepsy, and inflammation, amongst many) perhaps the chief therapeutic claim concerning its benefits has been in improving memory. The Indian government has invested significant resources and conducted hundreds of studies examining the mechanisms of action on the brain and at a cellular level. Interestingly this research has uncovered a myriad of possible mechanisms relating to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metal chelation, amyloid, and cholinergic effects amongst many others. Although it is not unusual for plant based medicines to have multiple effects on cellular processes, Bacopa monnieri is perhaps one of the most scientifically studied in terms of mechanisms of action. Interestingly these mechanisms seem to comprehensively map on to the biological mechanisms that many researchers have argued underpin cognitive and memory processes. In 1996 a special extract of Bacopa monnieri was launched by the Indian Government's Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, termed CDRI 08. It was thought at the time that this particular standardised extract had been subjected to the most research and was the most promising extract for medical conditions. In 2010 the three editors for this special issue attended CDRI's 60th research anniversary where a special one-day symposium on research on CDRI 08 was held. It is this extract of Bacopa monnieri that is the focus of most of the papers in this special issue which reports studies relating to the safety, mechanisms, and efficacy of specific extracts of Bacopa monnieri. Over the last ten years there have been growing scientific studies on this interesting terrestrial herb. As can be seen in Figure 1 the number of publications concerning Bacopa monnieri is steadily growing reflecting increasing scientific interest in this plant for human conditions. Most of these studies reflect scientific endeavours relating to cellular mechanisms. As such these studies are an excellent base to launch larger clinical trials in humans. Although much is known about the mechanisms of Bacopa extracts on the brain there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. For instance, long-term chronic trials in older people are now required to understand whether Bacopa extracts such as CDRI 08 can prevent age-related cognitive decline or even more insidious diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia. We note that a number of studies are also currently examining the effect of Bacopa extracts on improving cognitive and behavioural function in younger people. Clearly the next decade will focus on larger clinical trials in humans and expand upon the excellent animal and preclinical work mainly conducted in India. Figure 1 Con Stough Hemant Singh Andrea Zangara
-
Bacopa monnieri as an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Tamara Simpson, Matthew P. Pase, Con StoughAbstract:The detrimental effect of neuronal cell death due to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The Indian herb Bacopa monnieri is a dietary antioxidant, with animal and in vitro studies indicating several modes of action that may protect the brain against oxidative damage. In parallel, several studies using the CDRI08 extract have shown that extracts of Bacopa monnieri improve cognitive function in humans. The biological mechanisms of this cognitive enhancement are unknown. In this review we discuss the animal studies and in vivo evidence for Bacopa monnieri as a potential therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. We suggest that future studies incorporate neuroimaging particularly magnetic resonance spectroscopy into their randomized controlled trials to better understand whether changes in antioxidant status in vivo cause improvements in cognitive function.
-
cognitive effects of two nutraceuticals ginseng and Bacopa benchmarked against modafinil a review and comparison of effect sizes
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2013Co-Authors: Chris Neale, Con Stough, David A Camfield, Jonathon L Reay, Andrew ScholeyAbstract:Over recent years there has been increasing research into both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical cognition enhancers. Here we aimed to calculate the effect sizes of positive cognitive effect of the pharmaceutical modafinil in order to benchmark the effect of two widely used nutraceuticals Ginseng and Bacopa (which have consistent acute and chronic cognitive effects, respectively). A search strategy was implemented to capture clinical studies into the neurocognitive effects of modafinil, Ginseng and Bacopa. Studies undertaken on healthy human subjects using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design were included. For each study where appropriate data were included, effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for measures showing significant positive and negative effects of treatment over placebo. The highest effect sizes for cognitive outcomes were 0.77 for modafinil (visuospatial memory accuracy), 0.86 for Ginseng (simple reaction time) and 0.95 for Bacopa (delayed word recall). These data confirm that neurocognitive enhancement from well characterized nutraceuticals can produce cognition enhancing effects of similar magnitude to those from pharmaceutical interventions. Future research should compare these effects directly in clinical trials.
C. S. Paulose - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
neuroprotective potential of Bacopa monnieri and bacoside a against dopamine receptor dysfunction in the cerebral cortex of neonatal hypoglycaemic rats
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2013Co-Authors: Roshni Baby Thomas, Shilpa Joy, M S Ajayan, C. S. PauloseAbstract:Neonatal hypoglycaemia initiates a series of events leading to neuronal death, even if glucose and glycogen stores return to normal. Disturbances in the cortical dopaminergic function affect memory and cognition. We recommend Bacopa monnieri extract or Bacoside A to treat neonatal hypoglycaemia. We investigated the alterations in dopaminergic functions by studying the Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtypes. Receptor-binding studies revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in dopamine D1 receptor number in the hypoglycaemic condition, suggesting cognitive dysfunction. cAMP content was significantly (p < 0.001) downregulated in hypoglycaemic neonatal rats indicating the reduction in cell signalling of the dopamine D1 receptors. It is attributed to the deficits in spatial learning and memory. Hypoglycaemic neonatal rats treated with Bacopa extract alone and Bacoside A ameliorated the dopaminergic and cAMP imbalance as effectively as the glucose therapy. The upregulated Bax expression in the present study indicates the high cell death in hypoglycaemic neonatal rats. Enzyme assay of SOD confirmed cortical cell death due to free radical accumulation. The gene expression of SOD in the cortex was significantly downregulated (p < 0.001). Bacopa treatment showed a significant reversal in the altered gene expression parameters (p < 0.001) of Bax and SOD. Our results suggest that in the rat experimental model of neonatal hypoglycaemia, Bacopa extract improved alterations in D1, D2 receptor expression, cAMP signalling and cell death resulting from oxidative stress. This is an important area of study given the significant motor and cognitive impairment that may arise from neonatal hypoglycaemia if proper treatment is not implemented.
-
Behavioral Deficit and Decreased GABA Receptor Functional Regulation in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri
Neurochemical Research, 2011Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Gireesh Gangadharan, Korah P. Kuruvilla, C. S. PauloseAbstract:In the present study, alterations of the General GABA and GABA_A receptors in the hippocampus of pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epileptic rats and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri and its active component Bacoside-A were investigated. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Hippocampus is the major region of the brain belonging to the limbic system and plays an important role in epileptogenesis, memory and learning. Scatchard analysis of [^3H]GABA and [^3H]bicuculline in the hippocampus of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in B_max ( P
-
Behavioral Deficit and Decreased GABA Receptor Functional Regulation in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri
Neurochemical Research, 2010Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Gireesh Gangadharan, Korah P. Kuruvilla, C. S. PauloseAbstract:In the present study, alterations of the General GABA and GABAA receptors in the hippocampus of pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epileptic rats and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri and its active component Bacoside-A were investigated. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Hippocampus is the major region of the brain belonging to the limbic system and plays an important role in epileptogenesis, memory and learning. Scatchard analysis of [3H]GABA and [3H]bicuculline in the hippocampus of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in Bmax (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABAA receptor sub-units such as GABAAά1, GABAAά5, GABAAδ, and GAD were down regulated (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus of the epileptic rats compared to control. GABAAγ subunit was up regulated. Epileptic rats have deficit in the radial arm and Y maze performance. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses all these changes near to control. Our results suggest that decreased GABA receptors in the hippocampus have an important role in epilepsy associated behavioral deficit, Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have clinical significance in the management of epilepsy.
-
Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A for ameliorating epilepsy associated behavioral deficits
Fitoterapia, 2009Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Jes Paul, M.s. Nandhu, C. S. PauloseAbstract:Bacopa monnieri is an outstanding nervine tonic used for raising the mental performance. It helps in concentration, comprehension, recall and alertness, Brahmi is particularly beneficial as it aids in categorizing information in brain and its subsequent expression. Bacopa is also called as a natural antioxidant which may give details its neuroprotective role seen in the memory centers of the brain. Epilepsy is neuronal disorder characterized by learning, cognitive and memory impairments. The present review summarizes information concerning botany, chemistry and beneficial effect of Bacopa monnieri on epilepsy associated behavioral deficits.
Rashadul Alam - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Molecular docking and inhibition studies on the interactions of Bacopa monnieri's potent phytochemicals against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.
DARU, 2015Co-Authors: Talha Bin Emran, Atiar Rahman, Mir Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Raju Dash, Firoz Hossen, Mohammad Mohiuddin, Rashadul AlamAbstract:Background Bacopa monnieri Linn. (Plantaginaceae), a well-known medicinal plant, is widely used in traditional medicine system. It has long been used in gastrointestinal discomfort, skin diseases, epilepsy and analgesia. This research investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Bacopa monnieri leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus and the interaction of possible compounds involved in this antimicrobial action.
-
Molecular docking and inhibition studies on the interactions of Bacopa monnieri's potent phytochemicals against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.
Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2015Co-Authors: Talha Bin Emran, Atiar Rahman, Mir Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Raju Dash, Firoz Hossen, Mohammad Mohiuddin, Rashadul AlamAbstract:Bacopa monnieri Linn. (Plantaginaceae), a well-known medicinal plant, is widely used in traditional medicine system. It has long been used in gastrointestinal discomfort, skin diseases, epilepsy and analgesia. This research investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Bacopa monnieri leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus and the interaction of possible compounds involved in this antimicrobial action. Non-edible plant parts were extracted with ethanol and evaporated in vacuo to obtain the crude extract. A zone of inhibition studies and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of plant extracts were evaluated against clinical isolates by the microbroth dilution method. Docking study was performed to analyze and identify the interactions of possible antimicrobial compounds of Bacopa monnieri in the active site of penicillin binding protein and DNA gyrase through GOLD 4.12 software. A zone of inhibition studies showed significant (p
Deepak Sharma - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Bacopa monniera prevents from aluminium neurotoxicity in the cerebral cortex of rat brain.
Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2006Co-Authors: Amar Jyoti, Pallavi Sethi, Deepak SharmaAbstract:Abstract Bacopa monniera is a perennial herb, and is used as a nerve tonic in ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system in India. Aluminium-induced neurotoxicity is well known and different salts of aluminium have been reported to accelerate oxidative damage to biomolecules like lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether Bacopa monniera could potentially inhibit aluminium toxicity in the cerebral cortex. Male Wister rats (8 months old) were administered with AlCl 3 orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day in drinking water for 1 month. Experimental rats were given AlCl 3 along with Bacopa monniera extract at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day. One group of rats was treated with l -deprenyl at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day along with AlCl 3 treatment. We have observed that Bacopa monniera prevented accumulation of lipid and protein damage significantly, which resulted from aluminium intake. Decline in the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes associated with aluminium administration was also inhibited by Bacopa monniera extract. The potential of Bacopa monniera to inhibit Al-induced oxidative stress was observed to be similar to that of l -deprenyl, which was taken as standard. The potential of Bacopa monniera extract to prevent aluminium neurotoxicity was reflected at the microscopic level as well, indicative of its neuroprotective effects. These findings strongly implicate that Bacopa monniera has potential to protect brain from oxidative damage resulting from aluminium toxicity.
-
Neuroprotective role of Bacopa monniera extract against aluminium-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat brain.
Neurotoxicology, 2006Co-Authors: Amar Jyoti, Deepak SharmaAbstract:Bacopa monniera is a nerve tonic used extensively in traditional Indian medicinal system “Ayurveda”. Reports regarding its various antioxidative, adaptogenic and memory enhancing roles have already appeared in the last few decades. In the present study, aluminium chloride (AlCl3) was used to generate neurotoxicity. We have investigated the neuroprotective effect of Bacopa extract against aluminium-induced changes in peroxidative products, such as thio-barbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) and protein carbonyl contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Effect on lipofuscin (age pigments) accumulation and ultrastructural changes were also studied. Bacopa effects were compared with those of l-deprenyl. Co-administration of Bacopa extract during aluminium treatment significantly prevented the aluminium-induced decrease in SOD activity as well as the increased oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Protective effect was also observed at microscopic level. Fluorescence and electron microscopic studies revealed considerable inhibition of intraneuronal lipofuscin accumulation and necrotic alteration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Observations showed that Bacopa's neuroprotective effects were comparable to those of l-deprenyl at both biochemical and microscopic levels.
Jobin Mathew - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Behavioral Deficit and Decreased GABA Receptor Functional Regulation in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri
Neurochemical Research, 2011Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Gireesh Gangadharan, Korah P. Kuruvilla, C. S. PauloseAbstract:In the present study, alterations of the General GABA and GABA_A receptors in the hippocampus of pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epileptic rats and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri and its active component Bacoside-A were investigated. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Hippocampus is the major region of the brain belonging to the limbic system and plays an important role in epileptogenesis, memory and learning. Scatchard analysis of [^3H]GABA and [^3H]bicuculline in the hippocampus of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in B_max ( P
-
Behavioral Deficit and Decreased GABA Receptor Functional Regulation in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri
Neurochemical Research, 2010Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Gireesh Gangadharan, Korah P. Kuruvilla, C. S. PauloseAbstract:In the present study, alterations of the General GABA and GABAA receptors in the hippocampus of pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epileptic rats and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri and its active component Bacoside-A were investigated. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Hippocampus is the major region of the brain belonging to the limbic system and plays an important role in epileptogenesis, memory and learning. Scatchard analysis of [3H]GABA and [3H]bicuculline in the hippocampus of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in Bmax (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABAA receptor sub-units such as GABAAά1, GABAAά5, GABAAδ, and GAD were down regulated (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus of the epileptic rats compared to control. GABAAγ subunit was up regulated. Epileptic rats have deficit in the radial arm and Y maze performance. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses all these changes near to control. Our results suggest that decreased GABA receptors in the hippocampus have an important role in epilepsy associated behavioral deficit, Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have clinical significance in the management of epilepsy.
-
Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A for ameliorating epilepsy associated behavioral deficits
Fitoterapia, 2009Co-Authors: Jobin Mathew, Jes Paul, M.s. Nandhu, C. S. PauloseAbstract:Bacopa monnieri is an outstanding nervine tonic used for raising the mental performance. It helps in concentration, comprehension, recall and alertness, Brahmi is particularly beneficial as it aids in categorizing information in brain and its subsequent expression. Bacopa is also called as a natural antioxidant which may give details its neuroprotective role seen in the memory centers of the brain. Epilepsy is neuronal disorder characterized by learning, cognitive and memory impairments. The present review summarizes information concerning botany, chemistry and beneficial effect of Bacopa monnieri on epilepsy associated behavioral deficits.