Abstract
<i>Background:</i> Lead (Pb) is one of the most common environmental toxicants, exposure to which can cause significant neurotoxicity and an associated decline in brain function. Plant derived products with antioxidants activity are useful in reducing lead induced neurotoxicity. This study investigated neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of the aqueous <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> against lead -induced neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats. <i>Methods:</i> Six groups of six weight-matched animals each, were used for the study. The group 1 (normal control) was treated with distilled water and group 2 (toxic control) with lead acetate at the doses of 50 mg/kg b.wt, whereas group 3 received only <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> 40 mg/kg only, groups 4, 5, and 6 were simultaneously treated with lead (50 mg/kg b.w.), and 40mg/kg, 80mg/kg, and 160mg/kg of <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> respectively The treatment was administered orally for 42 days. Their biochemical and histopathological investigations were carried out following animal sacrifice at the end of the study period. The neuroprotective effect of <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> was assessed by measuring redox status (malondialdehyde), enzymatic antioxidant activities (Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and histopathology of the cerebral cortex. <i>Results:</i> The increase in the malondialdehyde, the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase and reductase), and the altered histology of the brain induced neurotoxicity by lead acetate were mitigated in the brain of rats treated with <i>Xylopia aethiopica. Conclusion:</i> Aqueous <i>Xylopia aethiopica</i> has a neuroprotective role against lead - induced neurotoxicity probably mediated through its antioxidant properties.
Highlights
Lead (Pb) is ubiquitous in the environment and toxic
The neuroprotective effect of X. aethiopica on lead induced injury on the cerebrum in male Wistar rats is shown in Figures 1 (a-f)
The control group (Figure 1a) showed intact neuronal cells with no degeneration whereas in toxic Pb only treated group, there was neuronal degeneration evidenced by cytoplasmic vacuolation (Figure 1b)
Summary
Lead (Pb) is ubiquitous in the environment and toxic. Once introduced into the body, Pb has a wide-ranging of negative effect on many organs, and induces many biochemical, physiological, and behavioral alterations [1]. The group 1 (normal control) was treated with distilled water and group 2 (toxic control) with lead acetate at the doses of 50 mg/kg b.wt, whereas group 3 received only Xylopia aethiopica 40 mg/kg only, groups 4, 5, and 6 were simultaneously treated with lead (50 mg/kg b.w.), and 40mg/kg, 80mg/kg, and 160mg/kg of Xylopia aethiopica respectively The treatment was administered orally for 42 days Their biochemical and histopathological investigations were carried out following animal sacrifice at the end of the study period. Results: The increase in the malondialdehyde, the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase and reductase), and the altered histology of the brain induced neurotoxicity by lead acetate were mitigated in the brain of rats treated with Xylopia aethiopica. Conclusion: Aqueous Xylopia aethiopica has a neuroprotective role against lead - induced neurotoxicity probably mediated through its antioxidant properties
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