ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF DICHROCEPHALA INTEGRIFOLIA (ASTERACEAE) IN A MOUSE MODEL OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY

Abstract

Background: In Africa, neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly have become a major health concern due to the increase
 in live expectancy. Glutamate mediated neurotoxicity is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Ischemia, Epilepsy,
 Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases. Plants with antioxidant properties are reported to protect vital organs against
 glutamate toxicity. This study aims to assess the effect of Dichrocephala integrifolia against monosodium glutamatemediated
 neurotoxicity and oxidative stress.
 Methodology: The decoction prepared from the leaves of Dichrocephala integrifolia was evaluated against monosodium
 glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mice. The animals were grouped in seven groups of 6 animals each. The animals
 received daily; distilled water (p.o) for the distilled water and the negative control groups, one of the four doses of the
 decoction of the plant (35, 87.5, 175 or 350 mg/kg p.o) for the tests groups and memantine (20 mg/kg p.o) for the positive
 control group. Monosodium glutamate (2.5 g/kg ip) was injected daily to animals except those of the normal control group
 all the seven days of the experimentation. Animals were observed for aggressiveness, locomotor and forepaws muscle grip
 activities 30 min after monosodium injections. Brain reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were also assessed
 following the behavioral tests on day 8.
 Results: The decoction of Dichrocephala integrifolia at the doses of 87.5 and 175 mg/kg significantly (p