Abstract
Membrane‐bound enzymes play a vital role in neuronal function through maintenance of membrane potential and impulse propagation. We have evaluated the harmful effects of chronic cigarette smoking on membrane‐bound ATPases and the protective effect of Bacoside A in rat brain. Adult male albino rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for a period of 12 weeks and simultaneously administered with Bacoside A (the active principle isolated from Bacopa monniera) at a dosage of 10 mg/kg b.w/day, p.o. The levels of lipid peroxides as marker for evaluating the extent of membrane damage, the activities of Na^+^/K^+^‐ATPase, Ca^2+^‐ATPase and Mg^2+^‐ATPase, and associated cations sodium (Na^+^), potassium (K^+^), calcium (Ca^2+^), and magnesium (Mg^2+^) were investigated in the brain. Neuronal membrane damage was evident from the elevated levels of lipid peroxides and decreased activities of membrane‐bound enzymes. Disturbances in the electrolyte balance with accumulation of Na^+^ and Ca^2+^ and depletion of K^+^and Mg^2+^ were also observed. Administration of Bacoside A inhibited lipid peroxidation, improved the activities of ATPases, and maintained the ionic equilibrium. The results of our study indicate that Bacoside A protects the brain from cigarette smoking induced membrane damage. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 19:59–65, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20050