Effect of Aqueous Extract of Blackberry Nightshade (&lt;i&gt;Solanum nigrum&lt;/i&gt;) Leaf on Carbonated Alcoholic Herbal Beverage (CAHB)-Induced Cerebellar Damage and Behavioural Changes in Adult Wistar Rats

G.I Eze,C.O Ekechi,K.A Akonoafua,V.O Ekundina

doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i11.15

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaf on carbonated alcoholic herbal beverage-induced cerebellar damage and behavioural changes. Thirty (30) adult Wistar rats weighing between 150g and 220g were allotted into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Animals in group A (control) were placed on normal diet for 56 days. Group B were further subdivided into B1 and B2. Group B1 received 9.4ml/kg of CAHB for 42days, Group B2 received 9.4ml/kg of CAHB for 42 days and were left to recover for the next 14 days. Group C received 400ml/kg (high dose) of S. nigrum only for 56 days. Group D received 9.4ml/kg of CAHB for 42 days and 200m/kg of S. nigrum for the next 14 days. Group E received 9.4ml/kg of CAHB for 42 days and 400mg/kg of S. nigrum for the next 14 days. The result showed that oral administration of CAHB at a dose of 9.4ml/kg body weight daily for 42 days when given to rats, and when they were left to recover for 14 days significantly induced: cerebellar oedema, degeneration of Purkinje cells, vascular stenosis and ulceration, as revealed by reduction in the activity of locomotive, exploratory and anxiety levels of the rats using open field locomotor test. Groups treated with the extract revealed normal cerebellar microstructure. This study has shown that the aqueous extract of S. nigrum leaf has an ameliorative effect on CAHB induced cerebellar damage and behavioural changes. Keywords : CAHB, Behavioural, Cerebellum, Wistar Rats

Highlights

The toxic effects of alcohol are diverse
Some schools of thought argue that the direct toxic effect of alcohol on cerebellar cells is responsible while others report that the nutritional factors thiamine deficiency are required to drive the underlying process (Suzanne and Kril, 2014)
Solanum nigrum is commonly known as black night shade, which usually grows as a weed in moist habitats, different kinds of soils including dry, stony, shallow or deep soils

Summary

Introduction

The toxic effects of alcohol are diverse. Worldwide, alcohol abuse is recognized as a major cause of mortality and morbidity, with significant health and economic consequences (Abubakar, Tillmann and Banerjee, 2015). Nature has provided a complete store house of remedies to cure all ailment of mankind These remedies are in form of herbs, plants and algae without having any toxic effect (Trees and Evans, 1983), one of such plant is Solanum nigrum. Solanum nigrum is commonly known as black night shade, which usually grows as a weed in moist habitats, different kinds of soils including dry, stony, shallow or deep soils. It can be used for reclaiming degraded land (Kiran et al, 2009). The major active components are glycoalkaloids, glycoproteins and polysaccharides It contains polyphenoic compounds such as gallicacid, cathechin, protocatechuic acid (PCA), caffeic acid, epicatechin, rutin and naringerim (Sikdar and Duttau, 2008). The present study was, designed, to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum nigrum

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