Attenuation of 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment by a standardised extract of Bacopa monniera (BESEB CDRI-08)

Neurochem Res. 2011 Nov;36(11):2136-44. doi: 10.1007/s11064-011-0538-7. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

Abstract

Bacopa monniera is a well-known medhya-rasayana (memory enhancing and rejuvenating) plant in Indian traditional medical system of Ayurveda. The effect of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera (BESEB CDRI-08) on serotonergic receptors and its influence on other neurotransmitters during hippocampal-dependent learning was evaluated in the present study. Wistar rat pups received a single dose of BESEB CDRI-08 during postnatal days 15-29 showed higher latency during hippocampal-dependent learning accompanied with enhanced 5HT(3A) receptor expression, serotonin and acetylcholine levels in hippocampus. Furthermore, 5HT(3A) receptor agonist 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide (mCPBG) impaired learning in the passive avoidance task followed by reduction of 5HT(3A) receptor expression, 5HT and ACh levels. Administration of BESEB CDRI-08 along with mCPBG attenuated mCPBG induced behavioral, molecular and neurochemical alterations. Our results suggest that BESEB CDRI-08 possibly acts on serotonergic system, which in turn influences the cholinergic system through 5-HT(3) receptor to improve the hippocampal-dependent task.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / drug effects
  • Bacopa / chemistry
  • Biguanides / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Male
  • Medicine, Ayurvedic
  • Memory / drug effects*
  • Memory Disorders / drug therapy
  • Memory Disorders / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / drug effects*
  • Serotonin / metabolism

Substances

  • BESEB CDRI-08
  • Biguanides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3
  • Serotonin
  • 1-(3-chlorophenyl)biguanide
  • Acetylcholine