Brahmi Ghrita : A Neuroprotective Polyherbal Formula for Brain Diseases

The anti-inflammatory effect of Brahmi Ghrita (BG) was investigated in rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex following ICV (Intracerebroventricular) infusion of Poly I:C by immunohistochemical studies. BG contains Bacopa monneri (Brahmi), Evolvulous alsinoids, Acorus calamus, Saussurea lappa and cow's ghee. After creating inflammatory condition by Poly I:C infusion directly into the rat brain ventricle, BG was fed orally to the normal animals. The effect of BG on inflammation of hippocampus and cerebral cortex was studied using immunohistochemical markers: Iba-1, OX-6 and GFAP. In this investigation, the anti-inflammatory effects of BG was clearly observed in the form of downregulation of the proliferation and activation of microglial cells as well as the suppression of MHC-II expression as compare to Poly I:C treated groups. In conclusion, the constituents of BG acted as a neuroprotective agent and may also be useful as a neuroprotective formula in several neurodegenerative diseases.