Effect on DNA fragmentation
DNA fragmentation is considered to be the hallmark of
apoptosis. Fig. 2 shows the agarose gel electrophoretic
pattern of cortical DNA in control and experimental animals.
Cortical DNA in control (Group I) and bacoside A
alone administered (Group III) rats yielded intact DNA.
Cigarette smoke-exposed (Group II) rats showed DNA
fragmentation as evident by the laddering pattern characteristic
of apoptosis. Administration of bacoside A during
cigarette smoking in Group IV rats reduced the formation of
DNA fragments, which shows the prevention of apoptosis.