A Review on Phytoconstituents of Brahmi and their Relation to Improve Nervous System

Ayurveda is a well-known practice for treating number of diseases from ages. It is a natural system from old age for the balancing of various body systems through herbs. There are lot of herbs used in curing the diseases and one among them is Brahmi. It has the ability to boost up the memory. Morphologically, it is a small sized succulent herb that have number of branches. This herb is well known for strengthening memory, brain functions and cooling properties. In this review paper, brief detail about its phytoconstituents and medicinal uses are discussed.


INTRODUCTION
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is a perennial herb [1] which is remembered because of its memory enhancing feature. It is derived from the name of Brahman and Goddess Sarasvati. Its tea is usually consumed by brewing, leaves help to fight from cold, chest congestion and bronchitis. This occurs by removing the mucus from the air passages which helps in easy breathing [2]. Also found to reduce pain and, inflammation in throat and respiratory tracts due to its anti-inflammatory property. The powder of this plant along with milk helps to improve brain functions by preventing brain cell damage caused by free radicals that shows the impact of its antioxidant property [3]. It is also used as a brain tonic for children that helps in improving cognition. Its oil is very Other Constituents Isobrahmic acid, Brahminoside, Brahamoside, Brahmic acid [1,6] effective to prevent hair loss, nourishes and provides strength to them. Acts as disinfectant on the skin and speeds up the healing process when applied externally. Excessive intake of Brahmi should be avoided as it may cause nausea and dry mouth. It is widely used in the western countries and developing countries therapeutically and is becoming increasingly popular. The herb is described in many Ayurvedic books including Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita [4]. It is a non-tropic herb that shows properties of an astringent, cardiotonic, diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antiepileptic agent. In ancient Ayurvedic ages, the super physicians described Brahmi's role as Ayushya (longevity), Hridhay (Heart) Madhya (intellect), Balya (strength especially mind), and Rasayana (Rejuvination) [4]. Many active constituents (Table 1) like saponins, flavonoids and sapogenin etc are found in this plant [5].

Distribution of Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri originated from tropical Asia, and now is widespread throughout the sub tropics and tropics. It is also found across the Asia, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Australia, America, Caribbean and is invasive in Singapore, Portugal, Cayman Islands, Japan and Spain.

Wound Healing
Brahmi leaves help in the process of wound healing due to the presence of triterpenoids present in the extract of Brahmi leaves. It helps to increase the overall amount of collagen in cell layer fibronectin thereby healing the wound [10]. The collagen in wound synthesis can be remodelled by a substance named peptidic hydroxy proline which is increased by Asiatic acid extracted from Brahmi leaves [11,12].

Anxiolytic Effect
This herb exhibits anxiolytic impact which was shown through couple of experiments. In which the higher dosage of Bacopa monnieri separate had prominent anxiolytic impact as compared to lorazepam. It also showed a memory advancing activity on human beings [4].

Effect of Brahmi on Cancerous Activity
Ayurvedic and herbal medications are more effective and safer than the pharmaceutical medicines [13]. Brahmi is a wonder herb and plays down its role in curing tumour [14] due to its constituents like Bacopsides that are being used to cure cancer disease. Bacopa is also used in phytoremediation of various metals like lead, mercury, chromium and cadmium [15].

Helps in Reducing Stress and Anxiety
The active ingredients composition of this herb impacts the balance of stress hormones in our body by inducing a calm and relaxed state [16]. It is done naturally by simply direct chewing of 2 -3 leaves of this herb that contains bacopsides [17,18]. This process is very effective and significant as it reduces any dependency on other pharma products [8].

Hepatoprotective Activity
Bacopa monnieri has hepatoprotective property, that can be credited to presence of bacoside-A. Pre-treatment with ethanolic extract of this herb against carbon tetrachloride have defensive impact. It protects liver from liver-cirrhosis in an experiment on mice, rodents and framework models of human [7].

Endocrine Effects
In a couple of studies Brahmi treats irregularities related to endocrine. CDRI-08 exhibit to control release of thyroid in an experiment on male mice. The consumption of Brahmi enhanced the union of T4 chemical by 41% [4].

Anti Stroke Effect
Brahmi has intense therapeutic capacity in treating Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In the trial experiments on mice, to treat ischemic cerebrum, herb showed defensive impact and reduced infarct size. It resulted in catalase movement and development of muscle coordination in rodents. Also, the cerebral blood stream expanded by 25% without affecting the circulatory strain. Thus, Brahmi is quite effective in treating neurological problems [4,7].

Anti Nociceptive Activity
Fluid concentrate of Bacopa monnieri shows pain relieving movement through numerous aggravation pathways [4] for example inclusion of α2adrenergic, 5-HT and β1-adrenergic receptors. Moreover, the mixing of concentrate with naloxone didn't increase the inactivity to relieve pain. Narcotic receptors may have played a role behind pain relieving movement [4].

Cardiovascular Activity
Ethanolic concentrate of Bacopa monnieri, showed cardiovascular burdensome action on left ventricular contractility, pulse and coronary stream in heart of rabbit. It additionally showed that defensive impact of this herb on pneumonic conduit and aorta [4].

Anti-inflammatory Action
The leaves of Brahmi show anti-inflammatory activity. These are rubbed and applied on the body part that is affected by inflammation. Constituents like Bacopsides A and Bacopsides B [19], extracted from this herb are used in curing the swelling and inflammation. It is also beneficial for various pains like joint pain (arthritis) and gout also [8,20-23].

CONCLUSION
Brahmi is no doubt a medicinal wonder herb with numerous uses and benefits that are unmatched with any other plant available on earth. However, the area of research from the therapeutic point of view still remains unexplored although some of the uses have been found which remain hidden, as Brahmi was more explored by the Ayurveda. Brahmi is a great source, that could have many other therapeutic uses to heal many diseases that is still unknown. It could increase the human memory power as well without any side effects. Thus, more experimental and clinical trials can be conducted to known other therapeutic aspects of this wonder plant.

CONSENT
It's not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It's not applicable.