Enhanced Bioavailability and Efficacy of Bacopa Extract and Ebelin Lactone: Preparation and Biological Evaluation

Abstract

Although Bacopa monnieri extract is well known for its cognitive and memory support, it has received minimal attention in pharmacy due to its terrible palatability and poor bioavailability. This study aimed to develop an improved, cost-effective, and eco-friendly process for the preparation of stable and highly bioavailable non-hygroscopic bacosides enriched fraction in such a manner that it contains a specific amount of Bacoside A3 and jujubogenin, and the aglycone derivative (Ebelin lactone). We prepared two compositions 1 and 2 having Bacoside A3 and jujubogenin: Ebelin lactone ratios 1:1 and 3:1 respectively. The efficacy of these herbal compositions was evaluated independently in comparison to the bioactivity of bacosides (20%), bacosides (50%), and Ebelin lactone. This study also aimed to find a wide range of potential activities of formulated composition, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor activity, anti-oxidant activity, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor activity, and anti-cancer activity. We noted that both compositions worked better than parent Bacopa for biological activity assays but the herbal Bacopa Composition 1 is more potent than Composition 2. Hence, further research on Composition 1 should be explored for its potential to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's and various cancer diseases.