Memory-Improving Effect and Antistress effect of

bacosids derived from Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri (named as Brahmi in Sanskrit meaning Creator) is known in Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicine as a rasayana - a plant that helps to prevent aging and degeneration. It is proved to be extremely effective as a brain stimulant - improving memory and cognitive abilities and helping to treat nervous tension, depression and stress. Its active components are triterpenoid glycosides namely bacosids. The present study investigated the effects of bacosid A, bacosid B and bacosid C on scopolamine-induced impairment of memory by using passive avoidance task (step-down test). The antistress effect of these bacosids was investigated by using social isolation stress. The results demonstrated that bacosid A and bacosid B (25-50 mg/kg, p.o.) as well as total saponin (50 mg/kg, p.o.) or Ginkgo biloba standardized extract (TanakanÒ, 40 mg/kg, p.o.) had the improving effects on scopolamine-induced impairment of memory. On the other hand, bacosid A and bacosid B (100 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited the antistress effect on social isolation stress-induced decrease in pentobarbital sleeping time. Bacosid C did not show significant effect on impairment of  memory or on social  isolation stress.

Key words: Bacopa monnieri, bacosids, scopolamine-induced impairment of memory, passive avoidance task, social isolated stress

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