Pharmacological Evaluation of Bacopa monnieri Extract against Depressive like Behavior Induced by Ethanol Withdrawal in Rats

Abstract

Background: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome lead to relapse to alcohol use and depression is the most common symptom of withdrawal. Bacopa monnieri is a traditional memory enhancer and has reported antidepressant properties as well. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Bacopa monnieri extract in alcohol withdrawal depressive-like behavior in alcohol-dependent rats. Methods: Plant drug was extracted with ethanol (70% v/v) using soxhlet extraction. Ethanol 7.2%, v/v was given to the rats in a liquid diet for 21 days and then was withdrawn from the diet and animals were observed at 6 th and 24 th h for withdrawal signs like depressive behavior and locomotor hyperactivity. Results: The phytochemical testing of extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and tannins. Bacopa monnieri extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, oral) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p) treatment at the 6 th and 24 th h of ethanol withdrawal produced the significant (p<0.001) decrease in the immobility time as compared to the disease control rats when tested on forced swim test and tail suspension test. Bacopa monnieri extract and fluoxetine treatment produced significant (p<0.001) inhibitory effects on locomotor hyperactivity as well. Histopathological examination did not show any remarkable pathological and microscopic changes. Conclusion: Findings from the present study showed that Bacopa monnieri extract treatment has beneficial effects on ethanol withdrawal depressive-like behavior in rats.

A standardized polyherbal preparation POL-6 diminishes alcohol withdrawal anxiety by regulating Gabra1, Gabra2, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats

“…The latter model is proven to be clinically relevant to mimic the human condition as the animals can voluntarily consume either ethanol or water [ 33 , 34 ]. Previous studies reported dependence and abstinence to alcohol occurs in rats at daily consumption of ethanol over 9 g/kg for 15 days continuously [ 35 , 36 ]. The two-bottle choice drinking paradigm model was selected in our study.…”

The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical data

“…Bacopa monnieri has been shown to have effects that mimic commonly prescribed antidepressants in the forced swim test (as well as other paradigms such as the tail suspension test and shuttle box testing) in mice and rats 26,[56][57][58][59] . It is interesting that in one of these studies, using mice suffering from morphine withdrawal as a model of depression, the effect is only seen with chronic treatment 57 .…”