Phytomedicine. 2002 Apr; 9(3): 207-11.

Antidepressant activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in experimental models of depression in rats.

Sairam K, Dorababu M, Goel RK, Bhattacharya SK.

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Scrophulariaceae) is a commonly used Ayurvedic drug for mental disorders. The standardized extract was reported earlier to have significant anti-oxidant effect, anxiolytic activity and improve memory retention in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, the standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (bacoside A - 38.0+/-0.9) was investigated for potential antidepressant activity in rodent models of depression. The effect was compared with the standard antidepressant drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip). The extract when given in the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg, orally once daily for 5 days was found to have significant antidepressant activity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression and was comparable to that of imipramine.