ABSTRACT
Bacopa monnieri (BM; Family: Scrophulariaceae), also referred as Brahmi or Jalbrahmi has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic system of medicine as a brain tonic, memory enhancer, revitaliser of sensory organs, anti-anxiety, cardio-tonic, diuretic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agent, and the pharmacological actions are mainly attributed to the saponin compounds present in the alcoholic extract of the plant. The present study was carried out with a specific aim to examine the neuroprotective effect of Bacopa monnieri during Rotenone (RT) induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) with particular reference to Na+/K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -ATPase activities in different regions of rat brain. In the experiment conducted rats were divided into four groups of six in each group, group 1 received Saline water (1 ml/kg), group 2 received RT (2.5 mg/kg) through i.p. route administration for 60 days to induce PD. The third group received BM extract (180 mg/kg/day) for 20 days orally before induction of PD and group 4 received Levodopa (LD) (10 mg/kg/day) orally which is referred as drug control. The levels of Na+/K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -ATPase activities were measured. Na+/K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -ATPase activities were significantly depleted in different brain regions of rat during RT induced PD when compared to control rats. Treatment with BM and LD caused significant elevation in the activity levels of Na+/K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ -ATPase in different brain regions of rats when compared to induced PD rats. Our results suggest the ability of BM extract to modulate Na+/K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ - ATPase activities in different brain regions of RT induced rodent model of PD and thus offers effective management in the treatment of PD.