Protective Effect of Buchholzia coriacea (Wonderful Kola) on Aluminium Chloride Induced Neurotoxicity on the Prefrontal Cortex of Adult Male Wistar Rat

Abstract

Aluminium is highly prevalent in the environment, and due to its possible neurotoxicity, this study assessed the neuroprotective effect of Buchholzia coriacea seed extract (B.C.) on the prefrontal cortex of aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-five male rats weighing 119 to 286 g were divided into five groups of five rats each. 1 mL of distilled water was administered to the control group, while other groups received 250 mg/kg B.C. only, 200 mg/kg AlCl3 only, 200 mg/kg AlCl3 + 50 mg/kg B.C., and 200 mg/kg AlCl3 + 250 mg/kg B.C. The study employed the Y-maze test to assess for spatial memory, bio-chemical analyses of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and cata-lase (CAT) levels to determine possible oxidative stress and cellular damage, as well as histological tech-niques using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to determine morphological changes in the cells. Results showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total arm entries, percentage alternation, SOD, CAT, and GSH. However, the MDA level was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the AlCl3 group when compared to the control. Prefrontal cortex histology revealed several fragmentations, vacuolated cells, dark pyknotic neurons, and neuropil in AlCl3-treated groups, which suggest neurodegeneration. B.C., on the other hand, caused a significant decrease in MDA levels and a significant increase in CAT and SOD levels and attenuated the prefrontal cortex neuronal cells following AlCl3 exposure. This study therefore concludes that AlCl3-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects, which the B.C. protected from.