title: Neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) on novel object recognition and NMDAR1 immunodensity in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus of sub-chronic phencyclidine rat model of schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive impairment is a major problem, which eventually develops in schizophrenia. It contributes to the patients 'functional disability and cannot be attenuated by antipsychotic drugs. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), a neuroprotective herbal medicine in the elderly, might be a novel neuroprotective agent for prevention of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study neuroprotective effects ofBrahmi on novel object recognition task and cerebral glutamate/N-methyl-D- aspartate receptor subtype 1 (NMDAR1) immunodensity in sub-chronic phencyclidine (PCP) rat model ofschizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were assigned to three groups; Group-A: Control, Group-B: PCP administration and Group- C: Brahmi + PCP. Discrimination ratio (DR) representing cognitive ability was obtainedfrom novel object recognition task. NMDAR1 immunodensity was measured in prefrontal cortex, striatum, cornu ammonis fields I (CA 1) and 2/3 (CA2/3) and dentate gyrus (DG) using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DR was significantly reduced in PCP group compared with control. This occurred alongside NMDAR1 up-regulation in CA2/3 and DG but not in prefrontal cortex, striatum or CA1. Brahmi + PCP group showed an increased DR score up to normal which occurred alongside a significantly decreased NMDARI immunodensity in CA2/3 and DG compared with PCP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive deficit observed in rats receiving PCP was mediated by NMDAR1 up-regulation in CA2/3 and DG Interestingly, receiving Brahmi before PCP administration can restore this cognitive deficit by decreasingNMDAR1 in these brain areas. Therefore, Brahmi could be a novel neuroprotective agentfor the prevention ofcognitive deficit in schizophrenia.
authors.forename: Pritsana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piyabhan
authors.forename: Thanitsara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wetchateng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D034681:Bacopa; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000633:toxicity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010622:Phencyclidine; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate