Abstract:
Exposure to neurotoxins has become a worldwide major health problem especially since the industrial revolution. Aluminum is also highly prevalent in our environment. Due to possible neurotoxicity as a result of exposure to aluminum, this study is an attempt to assess the neuroprotective effect of Buchholzia Coriacea seed extract on the prefrontal cortex of aluminum chloride induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-five male rats weighing 119g to 286g were divided into 5 groups of five rats each. Distilled water was administered to the Control group, Aluminum chloride only (200mg/kg) to group 2, Aluminum chloride and Buchholzia Coriacea (50mg/kg, 250mg/kg) to group 3 and 4 and Buchholzia Coriacea only (200mg/kg) to group 5. The study employed histological techniques using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining to determine morphological changes in the cells, biochemical analysis of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) levels to determine possible oxidative stress and cellular damage, as well as the Y-maze and Morri’s water test to assess for spatial memory. Results revealed several fragmentations, vacuolated cells, dark pyknotic neurons and charred neuropil in aluminum treated groups which suggests neurodegeneration. Significant changes in anti-oxidant enzyme levels correlated with the histological observations and the neurobehavioral tests suggest impairment in spatial memory. This study therefore concludes that aluminum chloride has toxic effects causing neurotoxicity and Buchholzia Coriacea has a neuroprotective effect on aluminum chloride induced neurotoxicity.
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DOI:
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Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on 9th Annual Neuroscience Conference (ANC-23) August 12-13, 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023