Abstract

The current investigation was conducted to investigate the neuro-protective effect of Bacopa monniera against alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rats. We supplimented rats with Bacopa monniera for 7 weeks to evaluate the neuro protective effect against alcohol toxicity. Thirty two Wistar strain rats were divided into 4 equal groups: normal control (NC), alcohol treated (At), Bacopa monniera treated (Bt), and alcohol plus Bacopa monniera treated (At + Bt). Bacopa monniera was given to the At group for 7 weeks and brain antioxidant enzymes were assayed. Brain antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities, and the levels of glutathione were significantly (P <0. 001) decreased, in At group. However, Bacopa monnieri administration to the At group rats reversed these effects and attained the antioxidant status to normal levels. From these results, we conclude that alcohol-induced neuro-toxicity was attenuated by Bacopa monnieri treatment, thus Bacopa monnieri can be used as a regular nutrient to protect the nerve cells.