Quality Evaluation of Important Ayurvedic Raw Drug Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.)

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, commonly known as brahmi from the family Plantaginaceae is a well known memory enhancer widely used in the indigenous systems of medicine. Brahmi containing formulations are available in the market claiming memory enhancement nerve rejuvenation. The increasing demand for herbal medicines along with less availability of genuine plant materials has led to widespread adulteration in herbal drug industry. In this context, an attempt has been made to assess the extent of adulteration in traded samples of Bacopa monnieri  available in  Kerala markets  by checking the presence of marker compound bacoside in them using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) technique. The study revealed that out of 30 fresh market samples analysed, all were genuine samples with presence of bacoside A, of course in varying levels. Out of five readymade brahmi powders purchased from market, only one contained bacoside A. Granular formulations collected from the market with Brahmi as the said ingredient contained very low levels of bacoside A compared to fresh samples. Mimicking weeds like Lindernia species were found in the fresh samples.