ABSTRACT:
Aim: To evaluate the effect of Bacopa monnieri on CA-1 and CA-2 region of rats. Materials and Methods: Healthy adult male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing approximately 200-250 g were selected for the experiment. Group 1: This group consists of 6 rats housed in the laboratory for 4 weeks and was not exposed to any stress or drug except for daily handling and weighing. Group 2: This group consists of 6 rats, where each rat was given a cold stress for about 10 minutes in ice cold water with temperature around 15- 10° C. This procedure was done for the period of 4 weeks and no other drugs were induced. Group 3: This group consists of 6 rats, where they are given a cold stress for about 10 minutes in ice cold water of temperature 15- 10°C. This procedure was done for the period of 4weeks. Later each rat was given the drug Bacopa monnieri of 40mg/ kg with the required concentration for a period of 4 weeks. Group 4: This group consists of 6 rats, where they are given a cold stress for about 10 minutes in ice cold water of temperature 15- 10°C. This procedure was done for the period of 4 weeks. Later each rat was given the drug Bacopa monnieri of 80mg/ kg with the required concentration for a period of 4 weeks. Results: The present study reveals the protective and regenerative effect of Bacopa monnieri against cold-stress induced behavioural and biochemical anomalies in Wistar strain albino rats. The integrity of CA-3 hippocampal neurons, finding that Bacopa monnieri protected against age-related structural alterations. Histomorphometric study reveals an increase in the density of neuronal cells in CA-1 region. Conclusion: In our present study, the herb Bacopa monnieri is an effective drug in repairing the after effects of stress induced hippocampus of Wistar albino rats. As stress affects most of the neurons in CA region of hippocampus, the herb Bacopa monnieri can be used for improving memory in future after adequate amount of standard analysis.