Brahmi Exerts Antiepileptic Effects via GABA Agonist/Could Help Tinnitus

[Danny Boy]

"Bacopa monnieri (L), belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family and commonly known as Brahmi, is well known in India for its CNS activity but its neuropharmacological effect has not yet been explored. In the present study, the antiepileptic effects of the plant were investigated. The ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for anticonvulsant activity in albino rats, using different convulsive models. The ethanolic extract of leaves produced significant anticonvulsant activity for all the different models studied. The present study shows a probable mechanism of action similar to that of benzodiazepines (GABA agonist). Thus, these results emphasize the need to diversify by using alternative therapeutic approaches pertaining to herbal medicine, where a single easily available plant may provide solutions to several therapeutic challenges, as observed in the anticonvulsant action of ethanolic extract of B. monniera"-

https://www.researchgate.net/public...ulsant_activity_of_Bacopa_Monnieri_in_rodents

"BM can lower the dose of diazepam that is required for protection against seizures. This may indicate a GABAergic mechanism as the effect of diazepam was potentiated and similar to a full protective dose of diazepam (4 mg/kg BW, ip). This model reveals that BM may be clinically effective against generalized-spike-wave absence epilepsies (Rho, Raman, 1999)."

"CONCLUSION

The present study shows that the alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera may function in a similar manner to BZD, given its benzodiazepine-like action, although the specific receptor interactions were not evaluated. Further evaluation of Bacopa monniera is needed to establish its exact mechanism of action. However, we conclude that the alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera is a potent anticonvulsant drug"

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-82502009000400006-