What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to investigate the effects of Bacopa monnieri on aging and neurocognitive functions, examining telomere length and cognitive performance.

March 1, 2026Open Access

Effects of Bacopa monnieri herbal supplement on aging and neurocognitive functions, including neurophysiological assessments, in relation to constitution (Prakriti) in healthy adults: clinical trial protocol

Key Points

This study aims to investigate the effects of Bacopa monnieri on aging and neurocognitive functions, examining telomere length and cognitive performance.
Two-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial design.
Elderly participants randomized to receive Bacopa monnieri or placebo for 45 days.
Each participant will receive 120 mL of treatment twice daily.
Assessments will occur at baseline, 45 days, and 90 days.
Outcomes include telomerase activity, telomere length, neurocognitive function, and neurophysiological assessments.
Primary outcomes will include analysis of telomerase activity and telomere length.
Secondary outcomes will assess neurocognitive function using validated scales such as MoCA.
Neurophysiological functions will be evaluated through nerve conduction tests and EEG.
Expected findings will offer insights into Bacopa monnieri's impact on aging and cognitive preservation.

Abstract

Background Aging is an irreversible process shaped by genetic and environmental factors. Beyond physical and mental decline, it involves complex biological mechanisms. Programmed theories propose aging follows a biological clock, while error theories attribute it to environmental damage. A key mechanism is telomere shortening; once critically shortened, cells enter senescence. Telomerase preserves telomeres, but its activity decreases with age. Aging also causes cognitive decline, measurable through tools like electroencephalography (EEG). Study design This two-arm, double blind, placebo-controlled superiority randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of Bacopa monnieri freeze-dried herbal decoction (BMFD) on aging and cognition. Elderly participants (MoCA ≥24) will be randomized to receive BMFD or placebo, administered as 120 mL twice daily for 45 days, with assessments at baseline, 45, and 90 days. Conducted at the Clinical Trial Center, Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, the trial tests BMFD’s ability to stabilize aging processes and enhance neurocognitive functions. Outcomes Primary outcomes include telomerase activity and telomere length (qPCR). Secondary outcomes include neurocognitive function validated MoCA for the Sri Lankan population, neurophysiological functions—nerve conduction test (NCT) for upper and lower limb nerves and brain electrical activity (EEG)—and assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using a validated questionnaire. Discussion This trial will provide evidence on BMFD’s potential to preserve telomere length, support cognitive functions, and slow aging processes. Integrating Ayurvedic principles, including constitution ( Prakriti ), it aims to enable early detection of cognitive decline and aging-related changes. Findings are expected to inform preventive and personalized strategies, contributing to evidence-based applications of Bacopa monnieri in healthy aging. Clinical trial registration https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN64126920 , identifier ISRCTN64126920.

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Cite This Study

Pradeep et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a3d747ec16d51705d2dbe7 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1702773

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