The leaves of bacopa contain saponins, including the bacosides,^{2, 3, 4} which are thought responsible for the therapeutic properties of the herb. In animal studies, both purified bacosides and extracts of bacopa standardized for bacosides have been found to enhance several aspects of mental function and learning ability.^{5, 6, 7} Additional brain effects of bacopa demonstrated in animal research include reduction of both anxiety and depression.^{8, 9} Biochemically, these nervous-system effects have been attributed to an enhancement of the effects of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and,^{10, 11} possibly, serotonin or GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid).^{12, 13}

Bacopa extracts also appear to have significant antioxidant activity in the brain,¹⁴ and other effects that may help protect brain cells.¹⁵

Animal research has also reported that bacopa extracts can relax the muscles that control the blood vessels, the intestine, and the airways of the respiratory system,^{16, 17, 18, 19} and can help both prevent and heal ulcers in the stomach.²⁰