In vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory activity evaluation of Bacopa monniera, Scrophulariaceae

Bacopa monniera, also referred to as Bacopa monnieri, Herpestis monniera, water hyssop, and „Brahmi,“ (family Scrophulariaceae) has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for centuries [1]. Aerial parts of Bacopa monniera were extracted with distilled water and then successively with methanol. Methanol extract was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity using in vitro and in vivo methodologies. Effect of Bacopa extract (832–6.5µg/ml) on secretion of mediators like nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide on isolated murine peritoneal macrophages were evaluated by using Griess reagent and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction assay respectively. The extract showed significant (P<0.05) stimulation of release of NO at 416µg/ml (SI, stimulation index=1.67) and 208µg/ml (SI=2.14) (P<0.05). NBT reduction were significant at 52µg/ml (SI=1.34) as compared to control (SI=1). The extract was also evaluated for in vivo phagocytic activity by carbon clearance assay in mice and it showed significant increase in the phagocytic index (K) at 100 (K=0.104) and 200mg/kg (K=0.116) as compared to control (K=0.062). The extract significantly (P<0.05) enhanced total leucocytes count at 50mg/kg (10.82×10³cells/cmm) and for 100mg/kg (11.93×10³cells/cmm) of cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression (6.02×10³cells/cmm) in mice (n=6). Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's multiple comparisons test. The results suggest that Bacopa extract influences secretion of mediators in vitro and phagocytosis in vivo.

Reference 1: Anon. (2004) Monograph-Bacopa monniera; Alternative Medicine Review; Thorne Research, Inc. Volume 9, Number 1; pp 79–85.