A Comprehensive Overview of Bacopa monnieri Taxonomy, Constituents, Bioactivities, Herbal Formulations and Clinical Trials

B. monnieri, an herbal plant also referred to as brahmi, is an herb with medicinal and pharmacological active plant in traditional Indian medicinal history which has been broadly used in the an ancient ayurveda for improving memory, cognitive function, and neurological health. Brahmi is an ancient medicinal plant which used to prepare herbal formulations like brahmi ghritam, brahmi rasadi tailam, bacognize®, and bacomind®, which traditionally use in India for enhance memory and cognitive functions. This article provides a complete overview of B. monnieri taxonomy, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents and their bioactivities, herbal formulation and clinical trials. The review focus on the basic cellular mechanisms responsible for its neuronal protective, antioxidant, oncoprotective, anti-alzheimer, anti-emetic, as well as cardioprotective activities along with major phytochemical constituents present in B. monnieri like bacoside A, bacoside B, luteolin, quercetin, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, and stigmasterol. Recent clinical trial studies identified the cognitive, neurological, and physiological effects of B. monnieri which act as the scientific evidence proving its therapeutic potential. Overall, this review combines all information of B. monnieri phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical significance, which help to focus on its importance as a promising medicinal active plant.