Role of the extract of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) on behavior, oxidative stress and alpha synuclein level in the rotenone induced Parkinsons disease mice model

Title : Role of the extract of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) on behavior, oxidative stress and alpha synuclein level in the rotenone induced Parkinsons disease mice model

Abstract:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is primarily marked by the death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra region of the brain. The characteristic symptoms are abbreviated as TRAP i.e. tremor, rigidity, akinesia and postural instability. Exposure of the mice to the pesticides such as rotenone leads to inhibition of mitochondrial complex I and generation of oxidative stress leading to apoptosis. It has also been observed that rotenone intoxication is responsible for formation of alpha synuclein positive cytoplasmic inclusions. In the past few decades, treatment of PD has shifted towards herbal medicines as the current treatment including levodopa and other drugs induce potential side effects in long run. Bacopa monnieri is one such ayurvedic herb which contains phytochemicals such as bacosides that are reported to have neuroprotective and therapeutic effect. Our study was aimed to investigate the effect of brahmi (40 mg/kg body wt.) on oxidative stress induced behavioural abnormalities and apoptosis on the rotenone induced Parkinson’s disease mice model. The experiments were conducted on 10-12 weeks of Swiss male mice maintained in proper laboratory conditions. Mice were divided in 4 groups having 4-5 mice in each group i.e. Control, Rotenone induced, Only Brahmi treated and Rotenone+Brahmi. The dose of drugs was given consecutively for 5 weeks. Afterwards, three parameters were tested, named neurobehavioral including elevated plus, open field and morris water maze tests, oxidative stress including SOD, Catalase, MDA and level of alpha synuclein by ELISA.  In this study, we have observed a significant increase in behavioural abnormalities induced by high level of oxidative stress in rotenone intoxicated group and vice versa in brahmi treated group. It was observed that extract of brahmi also reduced the level of α- Synuclein protein which is a biomarker of the disease. Our studies suggested that brahmi can potentially ameliorates the oxidative stress induced neurobehavioral abnormalities and alpha synuclein level in rotenone induced Parkinson’s disease mice model and thereby, provide a scientific based evidence for its traditional properties. Hence, it can serve as an effective neuroprotective and therapeutic drug for the disease.

Biography:

Tulika Dey studied zoology in Women’s College, Banaras Hindu University, India and graduated as BSc with University gold medal in 2014. She, then post graduated in MSc zoology with specialisation in biochemistry and molecular biology from Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, India in 2016. She qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) with AIR 28 in December, 2015 and currently pursuing her PhD under supervision of Prof. Surendra Pratap Mishra at Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India. She has published 2 international papers, 1 national paper, 2 abstracts in conference proceedings, 1 full paper in national conference proceedings and 1 chapter in national level book. She has received best oral presentation award for presenting her research paper at international conference organised by Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India from 21-23 February, 2020.