Mitigation of Lead Neurotoxicity by Aqueous Fruit Extract of Adansonia digitata in Adult Wistar Rats
Eduitem S. Otong *
Department of Human Anatomy, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.
Sunday A. Musa
Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Barnabas Danborno
Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Sohnap J. Sambo
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The current study seeks to explore the neuroprotective benefits of Adansonia digitata against lead induced memory impairment, neurotransmitter/AChE activity imbalance, oxidative stress as well as brain damage.
Methodology: Thirty male adult rats weighing 160g-200g were divided randomly into six groups (I-V1) consisting of five (5) rats in each group. Group I served as control and were administered with distilled water (1 ml/kg) only while groups II -VI were treatment groups. Group II were administered 250 mg/kg of Adansonia digitata; group III were administered 30 mg/kg of lead; Group IV were administered 250 mg/kg of Adansonia digitata plus 30 mg/kg of lead; Group V were administered 500 mg/kg of Adansonia digitata plus 30 mg/kg of lead; Group VI were administered 30 mg/kg of lead plus 10 mg/kg of succimer. All administrations were carried out through oral gavage for a period of 28 days.
Results: Lead administration caused memory impairment, decreased dopamine concentration and AChE activity in brain, induced oxidative stress resulting in brain damage. Adansonia digitata treatment significantly (P<.001) attenuated memory impairment, modulated dopamine concentration and AChE activity, prevented oxidative stress and ameliorated histopathological changes in the brain of Wistar rats.
Conclusion: The result showed that Adansonia digitata ameliorates lead-induced memory impairment in Wistar rats by improving memory index, controlling dopamine concentration and AChE activity, preventing oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration.
Keywords: Lead, Adansonia digitata, brain, memory index, dopamine, oxidative stress