Bacopa monnieri is an adaptogenic herb used since time immemorial as an Ayurvedic rasayana. While several clinical trials have investigated the cognitive effects of Bacopa extract, few have been well characterized for the Bacopa saponin glycosides associated with pharmacological activity at neuroreceptors. The
current study examined effects of an ethanolic extract from aerial parts of an HPLC-standardized
Bacopa monnieri extract (BACOGNIZE®) on elements of cognitive function in humans. Twenty healthy
older adults between the ages of 60 and 75 were administered either a single 300mg
capsule of the Bacopa extract or a placebo capsule once daily for 12 weeks. The extract contained 11% of
Bacopa glycosides, including Bacoside A3, Bacopaside X, Bacopasaponin C, and Bacopaside
II. Standardized cognitive tests were conducted at baseline, 12 and 16 weeks. Statistical
measures included two-tailed t-test compared to baseline and to placebo group. The
characterized Bacopa extract showed significant improvement (p<0.05) over baseline in short-term memory,
processing speed, attention and depression, an effect which was also observed at 16
weeks, four weeks after dosing stopped. No adverse events were reported in either
group. Studies in a larger number of subjects are needed to support this conclusion.
