Assessment of the Ameliorative Effects of Aqueous Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaves Extract on Lead Acetate Induced Neurotoxicity in Cerebellum of Adult Wistar Rats
Author(s): Ehiremen Samuel*
Abstract
Lead is a heavy metal that can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage in the central nervous system, especially in the cerebellum, which is responsible for motor coordination and cognitive function. Neem plant also called Azadirachta Indica is a medicinal plant that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties according to previous literatures. This study aim to assess the ameliorative effect of aqueous neem leaf extract (Azadirachta Indica) on lead acetate induced neurotoxicity in cerebellum of adult wistar rat evaluating body weight, Histology, Lactate Dehydrogenase level, Catalase (CAT) and Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD) parameter. After a period of 14 days of acclimatization, 20 adult wistar rats weighing(150-200g) were randomly allocated to four groups, group1(distilled water only), group2 Lead only(70mg/kgPO), group3 A. Indica extract (200mg/kgPO) and group4 (70mg/kg Lead + 200mg/kg extract of A. Indica). The rats were subjected to oral administration of Lead and aqueous seed extract of Azadirachta Indica for fourteen consecutive days before sacrifice, the cerebellum was analysed for histopathological and biochemical changes using standard laboratory procedure. Results were expressed as expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM) and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05. The results showed that lead acetate caused significant reduction in the SOD and CAT (P<0.05) activity, but in the Lead+ A. Indica group there was significant increase in the SOD and CAT activity. Also, in the Lactate DeHydrogenase level (LDH) and the relative weight of the cerebellum, there was a significant increase in the lead only group (P < 0.05), which across the remaining treatment group, there was a significant decrease. The histology of the cerebellum shows severe degeneration and hyperplasia of the glia cells in the lead induced group while in the group induced and treated with Lead+ A. Indica shows regeneration of the cerebellum tissue. The study concluded that aqueous Neem leaf has potential therapeutic benefits against lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity in the cerebellum by enhancing the antioxidant defence system, reducing the inflammatory response