Evaluation of Pharmacological Activities of Bacopa monnieri (L.)

This book by Amitabh Basak, Md. Lokman Hossain and Most. Nazma Parvin, discusses the Phytochemical and Pharmacological activities of Bacopa Monnieri (L.). Bacopa monnieri (L.) locally called Brahmi of Scrophulariaceae family has a long history for numerous therapeutic purposes like memory enhancing, antianxiety and antiepileptic agent. The aim of this study was to investigate phytochemical screening, antibacterial, cytotoxic, analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of B. monnieri. Phytochemical screening revealed that n-hexane, dichloromethame and methanol extracts contained reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. The sample showed comparable antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. In analgesic activity test, methanol soluble extract showed highest activity compared to standard drug, Diclofenac sodium. The neuropharmacological activity of three extracts showed moderate activity as compared with standard drug, Diazepam and Thiopental sodium. Our exploration suggests that B. monnieri contains bioactive compounds and it should be studied further for isolation and purification of such novel compounds.