摘要
Objective: Synclisia scabrida is a medicinal plant used over the years for the treatment ofseveral medical conditions yet there is paucity of information on its systemic and organspecific toxicity. Consequently, sub-acute neurotoxicity of root extract of Synclisia scabridawas evaluated in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty male albino rats with average weightof 140g were randomized into 5 groups consisting of 6 rats in each group. Group 1 was thecontrol while 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the root extract wereadministered to Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively for 28 days. Malondialdehyde,glutathione, nitric oxide, protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, acetylcholine, catalase andacetylcholinesterase levels were measured in brain homogenates. Body weight of theanimals and histology of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were evaluated. Results:Root extract of Synclisia scabrida was observed to increase malondialdehyde concentrationand decrease antioxidants biomarkers when compared with the control. Significantly(p<0.05) increased TNF-α concentration and acetylcholinesterase activity caused by theextract when compared with the control was observed. The concentration of acetylcholinesignificantly decreased in Synclisia scabrida treated groups in comparison with the control.The histomorphology of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex revealed pyknotic pyramidalneurons in Synclisia scabrida treated rat relative to the control with normal pyramidalneurons. The body weight of the extract treated groups were significantly decreased whencompared to the control Group. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that the rootextract of Synclisia scabrida induces and up-regulates oxidative stress and inflammation inthe brain of male albino Wistar rat coupled with reduced acetylcholine concentration hencethe extract possesses neurotoxic potentials.
