Neurodegenerative Potential of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum gratissimum: A Histological and Biochemical Study
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Date
2015-09-27
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Publisher
Anatomy Journal of Africa
Abstract
Ocimum gratissimum is an herbaceous perennial shrub which is widely distributed in many regions.
It is consumed in food as seasoning locally in Nigeria. In the present study, the effect of the acute
administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (AeOG) on prefrontal cortical
neurons was checked to assess its neurotoxicity potential. Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing
between 190-210 g were divided into 5 groups (n=6). Group A (control) received 1 ml of normal
saline (p.o), groups B-E received 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg AeOG (p.o) respectively. Treatment
lasted for fourteen days. Twenty-four hours after treatment, animals were sacrificed and their
brains were removed. The prefrontal cortices neuronal morphology was studied using haematoxylin
and eosin (H&E) stain; while activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
were assayed in the cerebral homogenate. AeOG administration at doses 300 and 400 mg/kg
cause neuronal fragmentation and central chromatolysis with significant (P<0.05) increases in the
activities of cerebral ACP and ALP. Our findings show that the acute use of AeOG caused neuronal
fragmentation and central chromatolysis which are response to axonal injuries and may leads to
onset of neurodegenerative diseases and affect cognitive and executive functions of the prefrontal
cortex.
Description
Ajibola, Musa Iyiola Department of Anatomy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda.
Keywords
Ocimum gratissimum, Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Neurogenerative diseases, Rat.
Citation
To cite: Ajibola MI, Ibrahim RB, Imam AM, Mustapha A, Safiriyu A, Etibor AT. Neurodegenerative Potential of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum gratissimum: A Histological and Biochemical Study Anatomy Journal of Africa. 2015. Vol 4 (2): 563 – 570.