Volume : 13, Issue : 09, September – 2026
Title:
PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF STANDARDIZED EXTRACT OF BACOPA MONNIERI ON SODIUM ARSENITE-INDUCED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS
Authors :
Ms. Priti Navnath Divekar*, Dr. Kamble H. V., Prof. Ghodake S. R., Dr. Nikam A. R., Ms. Sonali Dada Sargar, Ms. Harshada Anil Thorat
Abstract :
Background: Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with neurological dysfunction, cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, and alterations in neurotransmitter homeostasis. The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of a standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri against sodium arsenite-induced cognitive and behavioral impairment in experimental rats.
Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 6). Sodium arsenite (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered twice weekly for 7 weeks to induce neurotoxicity. Animals received standardized B. monnieri extract at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg orally for 7 weeks, while tocotrienols (150 mg/kg) served as the standard treatment. Cognitive and behavioral changes were assessed using the Morris water maze, rotarod, hot plate, elevated plus maze, and forced swimming tests. Following completion of the study, brain tissue was collected for estimation of oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters, including malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and nitric oxide. Brain neurotransmitter levels and histopathological changes were also evaluated.
Results: Sodium arsenite exposure produced marked behavioral and neurochemical disturbances, including impaired spatial memory, reduced motor coordination, increased anxiety- and depressive-like responses, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and depletion of endogenous antioxidant defenses. Alterations in brain neurotransmitter levels were accompanied by pronounced histopathological changes. Treatment with standardized B. monnieri extract attenuated these arsenite-induced alterations in a dose-related manner, with the 80 mg/kg dose producing the most consistent improvement across behavioral, biochemical, neurotransmitter, and histological parameters. The high-dose extract improved spatial memory and motor performance, reduced behavioral abnormalities, enhanced antioxidant status, decreased oxidative damage, and improved the altered neurotransmitter profile.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that standardized Bacopa monnieri extract exerts a protective effect against sodium arsenite-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. The observed activity appears to be associated with attenuation of oxidative and nitrosative stress, restoration of antioxidant defenses and neurotransmitter homeostasis, and preservation of brain tissue architecture. These findings support further investigation of standardized B. monnieri as a potential neuroprotective agent in arsenic-associated neurological dysfunction.
Keywords: Bacopa monnieri; sodium arsenite; cognitive impairment; neuroprotection; oxidative stress; antioxidant defense; neurotransmitters; Morris water maze; lipid peroxidation; neurotoxicity.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Priti Navnath Divekar et al., Pharmacological Evaluation Of Standardized Extract Of Bacopa Monnieri On Sodium Arsenite-Induced Cognitive Impairment In Experimental Rats,. Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(09).,
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