Effect Of Methanol Extract Of Anthocleista Vogelii On Some Neuroprotective Parameters/Markers In Wistar Albino Rats:- Ezeubani, Henry C

ABSTRACT viii The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of A. vogelii on some neuroprotective parameters/markers (Nitric oxide, Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Peroxidase) in Wistar Rats. The leaves of the plant A. vogelii viqvq collected at Umudike, Ikwuano local government area ofAbia state. They were air dried, milled and stored in an air tight container for further use. A total of 16 adult Wistar rats ofmale sex (100-130 g) used for this study were acclimatized for one week and the rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 (normal control) received only water and feed. Group 2 served as the positive control (and received mercury chloride). Group 3 was intoxicated with mercury chloride and treated with Diazepam (5 mg/kg). Animals in group 4 were neurointoxicated and treated with the plant extract (400 mg/k). The findings ofthis study indicated that cerebellum result in fig 4.1 showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in glutathione concentration when the untreated group is compared against othertreated groups; normal group with mean value (0.880 ± 0.568), intoxicant + standard drug (0.935 ±0.117) and intoxicant + extract group (1.152 ± 0.144). Also the extract group showed a non-significant (p>0.05) increase when compared with normal control and standard drug group. Cerebrum result also showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in GSH concentration when untreated group is compared against other groups, with a nonsignificant (p>0.05) increase in intoxicant + extract group as when compared with normal control. Fig 4.2 showed a significant (p>0.05) increase in the MDA concentration on cerebellum when the untreated group is compared against other groups: normal group with mean value (30.86 ± 0.622), intoxicant + standard drug (21.90 ± 1.641) and intoxicant + extract group (26.66 ± 0.654). In addition, the extract group showed a non-significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared with the normal control and standard drug while on the cerebrum, result showed a recorded significant (p>0.05) increase in MDA concentration when untreated group is compared against other groups but with a significant (p>0.05) increase when compared to standard drug group. Result in fig. 4.3 showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in level ofNO concentration on the cerebellum when the untreated group with mean value (0.367 ± 0.075) is compared against the normal control (1.796 ± 0.048), intoxicant + standard drag group (1.843 ± 0.065) and intoxicant + extract group (1.744 ± 0.052). While in the cerebrum, result showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in NO concentration when untreated group is compared to normal and intoxicant + standard drug group, but with a non-significant (p>0.05) decrease when compared against normal and intoxicant + standard drag group. The study further recommended that A. vogelii plant has shown medicinal properties in this study, further phytochemical characterization of the plant extract should be done in order to identify the specific compound(s) involved in the observed neuroprotective activities. Pharmacological study ofA. vogelii plant should be done to ascertain its biochemical reactions with enzymes which play catalytic role in neuroprotection. Further study on this work should be done so as to determine the dosage of extract administration with respect to level of neurogeneration to avoid acute and chronic toxicity ofplant extract. Advanced study should also be carried out on other higher primate for further clarity, proof and support on the neuroprotective properties of A. vogelii plant on other neurotoxicants other than mercuric chloride.