The combination of the extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium show protective effects on the cerebellum

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. (RV) and Gongronema latifolium Benth. (GL) are two medicinal plants reported to be beneficial to the nervous tissues individually and in combination. However, some adverse reports have been ascribed especially to R. vomitoria as it affects movement coordination. Aim This study therefore investigated the potential of the combination of these plants on cerebella protection. Materials and methods Twenty young male Wistar rats of average weight 125 g were divided into 4 groups (n = 5). Single daily oral doses of Tween 20™ (vehicle), 200 mg/kg of RV, 200 mg/kg of GL and their combination (RV, 200 mg/kg + GL, 200 mg/kg) were administered for 14 days. They were sacrificed on day 15, and perfusion-fixed with neutral buffered-formalin. The cerebella were processed for histology, and anti glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Results Cerebella histology showed slight atrophy, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and significantly (p Conclusion RV + GL combination ameliorates RV induced-cerebellar cells trauma, but not their proliferation.