The microstructural effects of aqueous extract of <em>Garcinia kola</em> (Linn) on the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice

Sunday Ajayi

David Ofusori

Gideon Ojo

Oladele Ayoka

Taiwo Abayomi

Adekilekun Tijani

Objective

To assess the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on neurotoxin administered malnourished mice adopting histological procedure.

Methods

The study was carried out using thirty-two adult malnourished mice which were randomly assigned into four groups (n=8): A, B, C and D. Group A served as control, while the other groups served as the experimental groups. Animals in group A were fed malnourished diet ad libitum and given water liberally. Animals in group B were administered with 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) (neurotoxin) only at 20 mg/kg body weight, group C were given only Garcinia kola extracts, and group D were pre-treated with Garcinia kola extracts at 200 mg/kg for seven days prior to administration of neurotoxin at 20 mg/kg body weight. After three days of neurotoxins administration in the relevant groups, the brains were excised and fixed in formal calcium for histological processing.

Results

The study showed that hippocampal and cerebellar neurons of animals in group B exhibited some cellular degeneration and blood vessel blockage, which were not seen in groups A, C and D. Cresyl violet staining was least intense in group B than in groups A, C and D. Despite the fact that animals in group D has equal administration of 3-Nitropropionic acid concentration, there were no traces of neural degeneration as it was evidenced in group B.

Conclusions

It is concluded that Garcinia kola has protective effects on the neurons of the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice.

^{Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo Osun State}

^{Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State}

^{Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State}

^{Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State}

*Corresponding author: Dr. Sunday A Ajayi Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo Osun State. Tel: +2348035453577, E-mail: moc.oohay@ynnusedovarb

Received 2011 Mar 15; Revised 2011 Mar 27; Accepted 2011 Apr 8.

Abstract

Objective

To assess the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on neurotoxin administered malnourished mice adopting histological procedure.

Methods

Results

Conclusions

It is concluded that Garcinia kola has protective effects on the neurons of the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, 3-Nitropropionic acid, Neurons, Hippocampus, Malnourished mice, Cerebellum, Microstructural effect, Neuroprotective effect, Aqueous extract, Neurotoxin

Abstract

Footnotes

Conflict of interest statement: We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Footnotes

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