Hippocampal pyramidal cell degeneration and changes in CREB protein in Datura stramonium treated rats
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Date
2015-09-11
Authors
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Publisher
American Journal of Neuroscience
Abstract
Datura Stramonium (DS) is a tropical shrub which is available
worldwide. It has various uses and is often used to increase the intoxication
of certain beverages. The seeds of this plant are very toxic but are
commonly smoked in like manner as tobacco. The present study
investigated the potential harmful effects of DS on pyramidal cells and
CREB protein in the hippocampus of Wistar rats in order to further
elucidate the effects of DS seed extract on hippocampal structure. The
study was conducted on both male and female Wistar rats (200-250 g).
They were first divided into three batches, which were further sub-divided
into four groups in each batch with eight animals per group. Ethanolic
extract of dried seeds of DS was diluted in normal saline and given to the
treatment groups. The treated groups received intraperitoneal
administration (i.p.) of 750 mg kg−1 (Bania et al., 2004) of diluted DS seed
extracts, once in batch 1, twice in batch 2 and thrice in batch 3 per day
respectively for 4 weeks while the control groups received an equivalent of
normal saline. The rats were euthanized and Western blot analysis used to
evaluate the levels of CREB protein in the rats’ hippocampi. Sections of
each hippocampus were histologically processed in all the groups and silver
impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was used to
elucidate the actions of DS on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus.
The result of i.p. administration of DS extract (750 mg kg−1) given three
times per day to the treated rats showed significant histological changes
such as axonal atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolation and neuronal necrosis of
the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, as well as an increase in CREB
protein levels in both male and female rats. Excessive ingestion of DS
seeds, therefore, may lead to hippocampal pyramidal cell losses and an
increase in CREB protein levels in the hippocampus. This may be
implicated in neurological disorders.
Description
Dare S. Sunday Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Uganda
Keywords
Datura stramonium, Hippocampus, Neuronal Atrophy, CREB Protein, Pyramidal, Histological Changes