IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF ABHRAK BHASM IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Abhrak bhasma (AB) is a type of bhasma prepared from repeated incineration of mineral mica with decoctions of about 72 herbs. The particle size of Abhrak bhasm has been shown to be in the range of 29-88 nanometers and Fe, Ca, Si, Mg and K are found to be as major constituent. Many drugs developed to treat Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders are unable to reach the brain parenchyma in therapeutically relevant concentrations. The blood brain barrier protects brain parenchyma from the uctuation of plasma composition, from pathogenic agents and maintains homeostasis of the brain parenchyma by restricting non-specic ux of ions, peptides, proteins and even cells into and out the brain. Immunohistochemistry is being widely employed as a tool for biological studies. This study is conducted to examine the change in the continuity of Blood brain barrier by using immunohistochemistry, once Abhrak bhasm drug is given in experimental animal and also to examine the histology of organs. In this study a total of 30 adult albino Wistar rats of approximately 4 months age (approx. 150-200 gms) of either sex selected randomly to see the effect of Abhrak bhasm, an ayurvedic drug on Wistar rats. The rats were weighed, marked and divided into 5 groups each consisting of six animals. In normal control group (Group E), no drug was administered and in rest of the four treated groups (Group-A,B,C,D), Abhrak bhasm @ 36 mg/kg B.wt. was administered orally once in each rat. Brain, liver, kidneys,spleen and blood samples were collected in 10% formalin solution after euthanizing the rats at 0.5,2,6 & 12 hours of Abhrak bhasma drug intervention. The alterations in any of the biochemical parameters are within the tolerable limits of liver and kidney since the dose of abhrak bhasm did not affect liver and kidneys. In the present study, the increase in ALP level may be the result of alterations in metabolisms that occurred without any signicant alteration in histology of liver. After applying the immunohistochemistry with the research markers GFAP, CD 34, S 100, GLUT-1 and RECA-1 on the rats in groups A,B,C and D, there was no change in the intensity of immunohistochemistry, with respect to control. While on applying the Occludin, the intensity of immunohistochemistry was reduced in all the treatment groups as compared to the control group. On the basis of ndings of present study it can be concluded that the therapeutic dose of Abhrak bhasma causes changes at the level of tight junctions present in blood brain barrier in rats which is shown by immunohistochemistry with occludin research marker. There is no toxic effect of drug on different organs of rats as no signicant changes in histology of organs are seen. More studies need to be done to check the permeability of blood brain barrier for Abhrak bhasma drug, like calculating its concentration in brain tissues and other vital organs of rat.