Medical Researchers Find Evidence of Add-On Therapeutic Effects of Brahmi in Management of Schizophrenia

schizophreniaResearchers at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi suggest in a paper published in the Journal of Ayurveda Integrative Medicine, the therapeutic efficacy of Brahmi (Bacopa Monneri) in the management of Schizophrenia (for further details refer to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545244/). This research finding opens a new area for research and a possible role for alternative medicine in the management of brain-related disorders.

The researchers cite a case of an adult male who suffered from disorganised behaviour, unprovoked aggression and aimless wandering and was diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia. He was put on olanzapine tablet (10 mg) regimen, however, the improvement did not sustain beyond 3 weeks. The patient was put on add-on trial of Brahmi (250 mg of Brahmi extract) at a dose of two tablets a day for a period of one month along with olanzapine. At the end of four weeks, there was a reduction in psychotic symptoms and marked improvement in psychopathology scores.

The exact mechanism through which Brahmi produces improvement in positive symptoms of schizophrenia is not yet known. The researchers’ conjecture that the improvement produced by Brahmi in positive symptoms and general psychopathology in schizophrenia could possibly be mediated through the dopaminergic mechanism and its neurotransmission enhancing properties.

Further researches are required to establish the therapeutic effects of Brahmi in various dimensions of schizophrenia and also explore the neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms behind the same.

In summary, add-on Brahmi to olanzapine in a case of paranoid schizophrenia resulted in improvement in psychopathology, without any treatment-emergent adverse effect. This opens up an area for further research to establish conclusively the role of alternative medicine in brain-related disorders.

Branolia Chemical Works manufactures Branolia which contains Brahmi extract along with other essential herbs for general well being of the brain and the body.

Reference:
Sarkar S, Mishra BS, Praharaj SM, Nizamie SM. Add-on effect of Brahmi in the management of schizophrenia, J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 223–225.

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