The Effect of Bacopa Monnieri on Postnatal Brain Developmental Changes in Prenatal Electromagnetic Field Exposed Wistar Rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT newline newlineBACKGROUND: newlineIn this current century, electromagnetic field (EMF) that is emitted by electric and electronic devices causes electromagnetic pollution. The EMF-induced oxidative stress also leads to altering the neuroendocrine changes. newlineBacopa monnieri extract (BME), a known neuroprotective agent is able to restore or maintain neuronal structure. Hence our study is designed to study the effect of BME on the postnatal brain development changes in prenatal exposure to1800MHz EMF. newline newlineOBJECTIVE: newlineTo assess postnatal brain development changes in prenatal EMF exposed wistar rats and the antioxidant effect of BME on behavioural changes, thyroid profile, neurotransmitters, biochemical profile, histopathological and histomorphometric with its gene and protein expression. newline newlineMATERIALSANDMETHODS: newlineThe pregnant rats were divided into four groups control, drug control group, EMF (1800MHz) exposed rats and EMF (1800MHz) exposed rats and treated with 80mg/kg BME respectively from gestation day 10 until delivery for 2 hours/day. The offspring of all the group rats were assessed for behavioural assessment followed by other biochemical parameters, neurotransmitters and gene expressions analysis with histomorphometric analysis in the rat cerebellum and hippocampus. newlineRESULT: newlineIn behavioural assessment, rats subjected to 1800MHz EMF exposure showed significantly decreased locomotor, anxiety and exploratory behaviour with increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels with a reduction in number of neurons in the cerebellum and hippocampus. Also an alterations in protein and gene expression of neurotransmitters (Glutamate and serotonin) and Neurotrophins (BNNF and NGF) with a decrease in thyroid level. newlineCONCLUSION: newlineOur study concludes that EMF causes brain damage, especially in the hippocampus and cerebellum EMF. Rats pretreated with BME showed effective prevention of neuronal cell damage. newline newline