Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most neurodegenerative disorder. Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian herb extensively used in Ayurveda, used in treatments related to neurological complications was used now in our study.
Methods: In the present experiment, rats were divided into four groups of six in each group: group 1 received saline water, group 2 received rotenone (RT) through i.p. for 60 days to induce PD, group 3 received for 20 days orally before induction of PD and group 4 received Levodopa (Reference drug; LD) orally.
Results: The levels Dopamine (DA), Serotonin (5-HT), Epineprine (EP), Nor-epineprine (NEP) were decreased and Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was increased in different brain regions such as Cerebral cortex (CC), Cerebellum (CB), Mid brain (MB) and Pons medulla (PM) during induced PD compared with controls. These results were reversed after treatment with ethanolic extract of BM on par with reference drug (LD).
Conclusion: Our results suggest the ability of BM extract to modulate catecholamine system in different brain regions of RT induced rodent model of PD and thus offers protection. When compared overall the BM is better than the LD drug. The BM may provide a platform for future drug discoveries and novel treatment strategies in PD and can act as antiparkinsonian agent
