Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer's disease model.
BACKGROUND
Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., a plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae, has been used in the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine to improve intelligence and memory for a long time. Therefore, the potential of this plant to protect against Alzheimer's disease has been raised but less supported document is available.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of alcoholic extract of Bacopa monnieri on cognitive function and neurodegeneration in animal model of Alzheimer's disease induced by ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A).


METHODS
Male Wistar rats were orally given the alcoholic extract of Bacopa monnieri at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg BW via feeding needle for a period of 2 weeks before and 1 week after the intracerebroventricular administration of AF64A bilaterally. Rats were tested for spatial memory using Morris water maze test and the density of neurons and cholinergic neurons was determined using histological techniques 7 days after AF64A administration.


RESULTS
Bacopa monnieri extract improved the escape latency time (p<.01) in Morris water maze test. Moreover, the reduction of neurons and cholinergic neuron densities were also mitigated.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that Bacopa monnieri is a potential cognitive enhancer and neuroprotectant against Alzheimer's disease.
Uabundit
Nongnut
N
Department of Physiology (Neuroscience Program) and Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Wattanathorn
Jintanaporn
J
Mucimapura
Supaporn
S
Ingkaninan
Kornkanok
K
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D034681:Bacopa; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts