Chinese Journal of Physiology 57(5): 279-285, 2014 279 DOI: 10.4077/CJP.2014.BAC221 Corresponding authors: [1] Dr. John Sushma Nannepaga, Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila University, Tirupati-517 502, India. Tel: +91-9440872952, E-mail: johnsushma @ gmail.com; [2] Dr. Mallikarjuna Korivi, Department of Sports Sciences, University of Taipei, 101, Sec-2, Jhong Cheng Rd., Shilin, Taipei 11153, Taiwan, R.O.C. Fax: +886-2-28753383, E-mail: mallik.k5 @ gmail.com / malli_ k5 @ yahoo.co.in Received: June 5, 2013; Revised (Final Version): June 4, 2014; Accepted: June 18, 2014. 2014 by The Chinese Physiological Society and Airiti Press Inc. ISSN : 0304-4920. http://www.cps.org.tw Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa monniera Whole-Plant Extract against Aluminum-Induced Hippocampus Damage in Rats: Evidence from Electron Microscopic Images John Sushma Nannepaga 1 , Mallikarjuna Korivi 2, 3 , Madhavi Tirumanyam 1 , Mahitha Bommavaram 1 , and Chia-Hua Kuo 3 1 Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila University, Tirupati-517 502, India 2 Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33333 Taiwan, Republic of China and 3 Department of Sports Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan, Republic of China Abstract Impaired antioxidant system and structural changes in hippocampus are considered as key instigators of neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and tissue protective properties of Bacopa monniera whole-plant extract (BME) against aluminum (Al)- induced oxidative stress and hippocampus damage in rats. Male Wistar rats were evenly divided into four groups, nine in each and labeled as control, Al treated (10 mg/kg), BME administered (40 mg/kg) and combination of both Al plus BME (Al+BME) treated groups. After one month of treatment by oral administration, antioxidant status was determined, and structural changes in the hippocampus were evaluated by electron microscopy. Al-induced increased oxidative damage in the hippocampus was revealed by elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). This increased lipid peroxida- tion was associated with significantly decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dis- mutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). However, Al intoxicated rats treated with BME for 30 days showed significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities along with decreased TBARS (P < 0.01). Further evidences from electron micrographs clearly indicated that Al-induced vacuolation, lipofuscin deposition and pyramidal cell degeneration in the hippocampus was attenuated with co-administration of the whole-plant extract. Our results demonstrate that structural derangement in hippocampus by Al is directly proportionate with increased lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, B. monniera treatment potentiates the antioxidant status and suppressed the tissue damage induced by Al-intoxication. These findings suggest that B. monniera whole-plant extracts can be considered as a possible remedy to counteract Al-associated neurological disorders. Key Words: antioxidant enzymes, brain damage, lipid peroxidation, neuroprotective herb, oxidative stress Introduction Bacopa monniera (B. monniera), a small creeping herb locally known as ‘Brahmi’ in India, belongs to the family of Scrophulariaceae, and is mostly found throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China and Taiwan.