Application of methyl jasmonate for enhancing bacoside content and related-gene expression in hydroponically grown Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri )

Abstract Bacopa monnieri L. (Brahmi), which enriches main bioactive bacoside A compound, is highly valued for its brain-improving properties. However, the natural yield of bacoside A from plant sources is insufficient to meet industrial demands. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar spray of methyl jasmonate (250 μM MeJA) on bacoside A biosynthesis and related-gene expressions in hydroponically grown Brahmi. These results found that the total bacoside A content was highest at 48 h post-MeJA treatment, showing a statistically significant increase compared to untreated controls and other time points. Additionally, exogenous MeJA induced a temporal and sequential upregulation of BmAACT , BmOSC , BmbAS , and BmGT genes. These bacoside biosynthesis pathway genes were sequentially upregulated at 3, 6, 12, and 48 h post-MeJA application, respectively. This finding concludes that the exogenous MeJA to hydroponically grown Brahmi effectively enhances bacoside A production, providing a potential strategy for improving the commercial production of this valuable compound.