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Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) improved novel object recognition task and increased cerebral vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 in sub‐chronic phencyclidine rat model of schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Piyabhan Pritsana,
Wannasiri Supaporn,
Naowaboot Jarinyaporn
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1681.12658
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroprotection , phencyclidine , cognitive deficit , prefrontal cortex , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , pharmacology , cognition , neuroscience , psychiatry , nmda receptor , psychology , cognitive impairment , receptor
Summary Reduced vesicular glutamate transporter 1 ( VGLUT 1) and 2 ( VGLUT 2) indicate glutamatergic hypofunction leading to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. However, VGLUT 3 involvement in cognitive dysfunction has not been reported in schizophrenia. Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ) might be a new treatment and prevention for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia by acting on cerebral VGLUT 3 density. We aimed to study cognitive enhancement‐ and neuroprotective‐effects of Brahmi on novel object recognition and cerebral VGLUT 3 immunodensity in sub‐chronic (2 mg/kg, Bid, ip) phencyclidine ( PCP ) rat model of schizophrenia. Rats were assigned to three groups for cognitive enhancement effect study: Group 1, Control; Group 2, PCP administration; Group 3, PCP+Brahmi. A neuroprotective‐effect study was also carried out. Rats were again assigned to three groups: Group 1, Control; Group 2, PCP administration; Group 3, Brahmi+PCP. Discrimination ratio ( DR ) representing cognitive ability was obtained from a novel object recognition task. VGLUT 3 immunodensity was measured in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and cornu ammonis fields 1–3 (CA1–3) using immunohistochemistry. We found reduced DR in the PCP group, which occurred alongside VGLUT 3 reduction in all brain areas. PCP +Brahmi showed higher DR score with increased VGLUT 3 immunodensity in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Brahmi+ PCP group showed a higher DR score with increased VGLUT 3 immunodensity in the prefrontal cortex, striatum and CA1–3. We concluded that reduced cerebral VGLUT 3 was involved in cognitive deficit in PCP ‐administrated rats. Receiving Brahmi after PCP restored cognitive deficit by increasing VGLUT 3 in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Receiving Brahmi before PCP prevented cognitive impairment by elevating VGLUT 3 in prefrontal cortex, striatum and CA1–3. Therefore, Brahmi could be a new frontier of restoration and prevention of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia.