Effect Of Methanol Extract Of Alstonia Boonei On Some Neuroprotective Parameters (Gsh, Mda And No) In Wistar Rats:- Uzomah Ikenna O

ABSTRACT viii The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of A. boonei on some neuroprotective parameters/markers including: glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in wister rats. The leaves of the plant A. boonei was collected from Ahia Umudike village, Umudike, Ikwuano Local Government area ofAbia state. The plant sample was air dried and milled and from which the powder form was soaked with 99% methanol for about 72hours after which it was extracted. The rats used were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group fed with water and feed only. Group 2 served as the positive control group (neurotoxicant control). Group 3 was the intoxicant (mercuric chloride) group, which was treated with Diazepam at normal dose (5mg/kg). Group 4 was intoxicated and treated with the plant extract at 400 mg/kg. Test results obtained after this study indicated that in the cerebellum, fig 4.1 shows that there was a significant (p>0.05) decrease in GSH concentration when the untreated group with mean value (0.260 ± 0.007) is compared against the normal group (0.88 ± 0.056), intoxicant + standard drug (0.935 ± 0.117) and the intoxicant + extract group (1.112 ± 0.066). Also, the extract group showed a significant (p>0.05) increase in level of GSH concentration as when compared with standard drug group and normal control. While in the cerebrum, there was a significant (p>0.05) decrease in GSH concentration when untreated group is compared against other groups. Also, with a significant (p>0.05) increase in extract group when compared against standard drug group and normal control. Cerebellum result in fig 4.2 indicated a significant (p>0.05) increase in MDA concentration when the untreated group with mean value (29.61 ± 0.838) is compared against the normal control group (30.86 ± 0.622), intoxicant + standard drug group (21.91 ± 1.641) and intoxicant + extract group (21.76 ± 0.716). In addition, the extract group showed a non-significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared with the normal control. Cerebrum: In the cerebrum, there was a significant (p>0.05) increase in MDA concentration when untreated group is compared against other groups and a significant (p>0.05) increase in intoxicant + extract group as when compare with normal control group. Cerebellum: fig 4.3 result indicated that there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in NO concentration when the untreated group with mean value (0.365 ± 0.057) is compared against other groups; normal control (1.796 ± 0.048), intoxicant + standard drug (1.843 ± 0.065) and intoxicant + extract (1.531 ± 0.028). Also intoxicant + extract group showed a non-significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared with intoxicant + standard drug and normal control group. Cerebrum: In the cerebrum, there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in untreated group when compared against other groups and a non-significant (p<0.05) decrease in extract group when compared against standard drug group and normal control. The study further recommended that asAlstonia boonei has shown some medicinal properties in this study by ameliorating oxidative stress and thus enhancing neuropiotection. Pharmacological studies ofthe plant root bark and leaf extract should be done to ascertain its medicinal potency. The pathways for the biochemical action ofAlstonia boonei on neuro protective parameters should be further studied especially on the level ofGSH and NO. The bioactive chemical compounds in Alstonia boonei that are responsible for these array of biochemical actions should be isolated, identified and characterized. Studies should also be done on the alternative pathways that Alstonia boonei takes towards its ameliorative effect