Bacopa monniera selectively attenuates suppressed Superoxide dismutase activity in diazepam induced amnesic mice

Abstract

BackgroundAmnesia is characterized by loss of memory that could result from abnormal neuro-chemical homeostasis, genetic predisposition or drug abuse. We earlier reported that B. monniera attenuates diazepam, scopolamine and L-NNA induced amnesia and wanted to test if SOD levels were affected by its administration.PurposeB. monniera is earlier reported to augment the defense system for oxidative stress by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, therefore, we investigated its levels after B. monniera administration in combination with different amnesic agents.MethodsWe treated mice with amnesic agents such as scopolamine, diazepam, L-NNA and MK 801 either with or without B. monniera.ResultsDiazepam (1.75 mg/kg ip) significantly reduced SOD activity while it was unaltered when Scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg ip), MK 801 (0.17 mg/kg ip) and L-NNA (30 mg/kg ip) were administered. B. monniera significantly attenuated diazepam induced suppression of SOD activity.ConclusionIt is suggested that the mechanism of B. monniera’s antiamnesic effect may vary depending on the type of amnesic agent used. However, antioxidant mechanism may be central to evoking the memory enhancing effects of B. monniera against diazepam induced amnesia.

Neuroprotective impact of Ximenia americana aqueous bark extract on Diazepam-induced memory impairment in mice via its antioxidant potential

“…SOD, GSH and CAT are enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants that can protect the cell from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Foyet et al, 2019). The enzymatic activity of CAT, which was significantly reduced after treatment with DZP, was increased when mice were treated with the extract, as reported by Prabhakar et al (2011).…”

“…At higher doses, this molecule causes anterograde amnesia. As a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, it causes amnesia and blocks long-term potentiation (LTP) in slices of the hippocampus (Prabhakar et al, 2011). One aspect that amplifies neurological complications is inflammation.…”

Anti-Alzheimer activity of isolated karanjin from Pongamia pinnata (L.) pierre and embelin from Embelia ribes Burm.f.

“…[ 49 50 ] In some studies, diazepam showed recurrent inhibition of pyramidal neuron firing in a dose dependent manner in rat hippocampal slices[ 51 ] during amnesic effect[ 45 46 ] and reduced rat hippocampus paired-pulse inhibition. [ 46 ] Diazepam reduces SOD activity of rat brain[ 48 ] and antioxidant defense (TBARS, isozymes of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase) in the brain cerebellum and brain stem. [ 47 ]…”

In Quest of the Mysterious Holistic Vedic Herb Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell

“…[171] The standardized Bacopa monnieri extract exerts major antioxidant effects by attenuating the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) suppression caused by diazepam in mice, whereas the extract did not attenuate the SOD activity in L-NNA treated mice, but partially decreased the SOD activity in pre-treated scopolamine and Dizocilpine mice, and the report documented that the antiamnesic effect mechanism of Bacopa monnieri may differ depending on the type of amnestic agent used. [172] Brahmi alcoholic extract also facilitates anterograde memory and attenuates experimental anterograde amnesia induced in mice by scopolamine and sodium nitrite, possibly by improving the level of acetylcholine and hypoxic conditions, respectively, due to an increase in synthesis of platelet activating factor by increasing thelevel of cerebral glutamate. [162] Using Morris water maze, Bacopa monnieri has the ability to elicit antiamnesic effect against diazepam-induced amnesia in mice and this effect is mediated by the GABAergic system and extensively supplemented by its known antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, which potentiate long-term potential in hippocampus and piriform cortex slices.…”