Potential neuroprotective effect of commercial Bacopa monniera extract

Bacopa monniera, also referred as Brahmi is being widely used for enhancement of cognitive effect and memory development for centuries. To analyse the neuroprotective effect of commercial Bacopa monniera extract (BmE) on human neuroblastoma cell-line SH-SY5Y was treated with the free radical generate by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The concentration of H₂O₂ that caused 50% neuronal death (IC₅₀) was determined. Therefore, cells were treated with different concentrations of BmE for 2 h before incubation with H₂O₂ for 24 h. In this study, neurotoxicity effect of BmE also being assessed formerly. MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl) 2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay was employe d to analyse the cell viability. Results revealed that BmE was not harmful within the tested concentration range (100 ng/ml to 10 mg/ml). The finding also showed that BmE could protect neuron cells against toxicity induced by H₂O₂. These results suggests that BmE possesses potent neuroprotective activity and may be a potential neurodegenerative disease drug that is worthy of further study.