Comparative account of phytochemicals, their bioactivities, triterpenoid saponins, and stigmasterol content from two memory-boosting herbs [Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. and Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst.]

• Published in: Biocatalysis and agricultural biotechnology 2024-09, Vol.60, p.103301, Article 103301
• Main Authors: Otari, Shreedhar S., Ghane, Savaliram G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacosides; HPLC; HR-LC-MS; Industrial crops; Nootropic
• ISSN: 1878-8181; 1878-8181
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103301

Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa floribunda are extensively utilized in various Ayurvedic remedies because of their cognitive-enhancing properties. Phytochemicals, antioxidants, anti-diabetic, anti-acetylcholine esterase activities, and the detection of bioactive substances (triterpenoid saponins and stigmasterol) were examined using HPLC and HR-LC-MS. The results showed that the aqueous extract of B. floribunda had the highest TPC (60.44 ± 5.24 mg TAE/g extract), while the acetonitrile extract had the lowest content (9.35 ± 0.64 mg TAE/g extract). The highest TFC was found in the acetone extracts of B. monnieri and B. floribunda (63.69 ± 13.48 and 61.44 ± 2.94 mg CE/g extract, respectively). Additionally, the acetone extracts of B. floribunda and B. monnieri revealed the greatest TTC (256.8 ± 7.73 mg CE/g extract) and TSC (363.5 ± 10.6 mg DE/g extract), respectively. In antioxidant studies, the acetone and methanol extracts of B. monnieri showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, and MC activities (68.24 ± 1.31 mg AAE/g extract, 160.43 ± 4.34 mg Fe(II)/g extract, and 283.13 ± 1.46 mg EDTA/g extract, respectively). The acetone extract of B. floribunda had better ABTS radical scavenging and PMA (13.29 ± 0.53 mg TE/g extract and 127.7 ± 0.51 mg AAE/g extract, respectively). The acetonitrile extract of B. floribunda showed considerable inhibitory effects against α-amylase (71.89 ± 10.1%), α-glucosidase (93.89 ± 0.19%), and acetylcholine esterase (80.92 ± 0.6%) enzymes. The presence of stigmasterol and four triterpenoid saponins were also confirmed by HPLC. The total amount of triterpenoid saponins was found higher in B. floribunda (4.97 ± 0.012 mg/g DW) than B. monnieri (3.96 ± 0.012 mg/g DW). In contrast, B. monnieri (5.13 ± 0.12 mg/g DW) exhibited the highest stigmasterol content as compared to B. floribunda (3.97 ± 0.35 mg/g DW). For the first time, we report B. floribunda as a potent source of triterpenoid saponins and could be a substitute for B. monnieri. •Assessment of bacoside and stigmasterol from the methanol extract of whole plant of B. monnieri and B. floribunda.•Investigations on phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of B. floribunda.•Evaluation of anti-acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory and anti-diabetic activities from Bacopa species.•First comparative study on both Bacopa species.