title: Molecular and Functional Characterization of Bacopa monniera: A Retrospective Review.
abstract: Over the last 50 years, laboratories around the world analyzed the pharmacological effect of Bacopa monniera extract in different dimensions, especially as a nerve tonic and memory enhancer. Studies in animal model evidenced that Bacopa treatment can attenuate dementia and enhances memory. Further, they demonstrate that Bacopa primarily either acts via antioxidant mechanism (i.e., neuroprotection) or alters different neurotransmitters (serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (ACh), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)) to execute the pharmacological effect. Among them, 5-HT has been shown to fine tune the neural plasticity, which is a substrate for memory formation. This review focuses on the studies which trace the effect of Bacopa treatment on serotonergic system and 5-HT mediated key molecular changes that are associated with memory formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, India.
authors.forename: Koilmani Emmanuvel
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, India.
authors.forename: Jayakumar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Preethi
authors.affiliation: Laboratories for CNS Disorder, Learning & Memory, Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India.
authors.forename: Hemant K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Singh