Evaluation of Rotenone Induced Parkinson's Disease on Glutamate Metabolism and Protective Strategies of Bacopa Monnieri

Department of Zoology, Division of Molecular Biology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati-517502. A.P. India. ABSTRACT: Bacopa monnieri (BM; Family: Scrophulariaceae), also referred as Brahmi has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic system of medicine as a brain tonic, memory enhancer, revitaliser of sensory organs, antianxiety, cardio-tonic, diuretic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agent, and the pharmacological actions are mainly attributed to the saponin compounds present in the alcoholic extract of the plant. The present study was carried out with a specific aim to examine the neuroprotective effect of Rotenone (RT) induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) with particular reference to glutamate metabolism in different regions of rat brain. The rats were divided into four groups of six in each, group 1 received Saline water, group 2 received RT through i.p. route for 60 days to induce PD. The BM extract was given orally 20 days before induction of the PD to group 3 and group 4 received Levodopa (LD) orally, referred as drug control. The levels of Glutamine content, Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), Glutamine synthetase (GS) and Glutaminase were measured. Glutamine content and activity levels of GDH, GS were significantly depleted and elevated Glutaminase activity was found in different brain regions of rat during RT induced PD when compared to control rats. Treatment with BM and LD caused significant elevation in Glutamine content and the activity levels of GDH, GS and depletion in glutaminase activity in different brain regions of rats when compared to induced PD rats. Our results suggest the ability of BM extract to modulate glutamate metabolism in different brain regions of induced rodent model of PD.