Bacopa monnieri (L) popularly known as Brahmi is an important nervine herb in an ayurvedic medicine. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. It has been traditionally used as ethno medicine and is useful to treat anxiety, anger, insomnia, nerve pain, concentration difficulties and learning problems. It has also been used as a cardio tonic, digestive aid and improves respiratory function. It shows antioxidant, antiaging, antidepressant, anticancer and antibacterial activity. The present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents and physicochemical values according to the pharmacopoeial method. The antimicrobial activity of Bacopa monnieri (L) was also investigated by using aqueous and methanolic extracts against two gram positive, two gram negative bacteria and two fungal organisms at 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml concentrations. The methanolic extractive value of Bacopa monnieri (L) (10.1%) was found highest followed by ethanol (8.6%), aqueous (7.6%), chloroform (2%), acetone (1.5%), dichloromethane (0.6%), ethyl acetate (0.5%) and petroleum ether (0.5%) extract. Phytochemical investigation of Bacopa monnieri (L) revealed the presence of various important secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins in methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts. No activity was observed against bacterial strains like Staphylococus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when subjected to aqueous and methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (L). Methanolic extract showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at 2.5mg/ml and 1.25mg/ml concentrations.

Bacopa monnieri (Linn), Extractive value, Physicochemical, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial