The leaves of bacopa contain saponins, including the bacosides,2, 3, 4 which are thought responsible for the therapeutic
properties of the herb. In animal studies, both purified bacosides and extracts
of bacopa standardized for bacosides have been found to enhance several aspects
of mental function and learning ability.5, 6, 7 Additional brain effects of
bacopa demonstrated in animal research include reduction of both anxiety and
depression.8, 9
Biochemically, these nervous-system effects have been attributed to an
enhancement of the effects of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine
and,10, 11 possibly,
serotonin or GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid).12, 13
Bacopa extracts also appear to have significant antioxidant activity in
the brain,14 and other effects that may help protect brain
cells.15
Animal research has also reported that bacopa extracts can relax the muscles
that control the blood vessels, the intestine, and the airways of the
respiratory system,16, 17, 18, 19 and can help both prevent and heal
ulcers in the stomach.20