title: Decreased GABA receptor in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, maintains the inhibitory tones that counter balances neuronal excitation. When this balance is perturbed, seizures may ensue.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, alterations of the general GABA, GABAA and GABAB receptors in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scatchard analysis of [3H]GABA, [3H]bicuculline and [3H]baclofen in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in Bmax (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABA receptor subunits such as GABAAά1, GABAAγ, GABAAδ, GABAB and GAD where down regulated (P < 0.001) in epileptic rats. GABAAά5 subunit and Cyclic AMP responsible element binding protein were up regulated. Confocal imaging study confirmed the decreased GABA receptors in epileptic rats. Epileptic rats have deficit in radial arm and Y maze performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses epilepsy associated changes to near control suggesting that decreased GABA receptors in the cerebral cortex have an important role in epileptic occurrence; Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have therapeutic application in epilepsy management.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682 022, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Jobin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Savitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.forename: Sherin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antony
authors.forename: Pretty Mary
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Paulose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D034681:Bacopa / Q000737:chemistry; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; C500175:bacoside A; D010862:Pilocarpine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid