This study was to histologically assess the therapeutic effect of aqueous fruit extract of Phoenix dactylifera (AFEPD) on lead acetate-induced cerebellar damage in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty four rats were grouped into six (I-VI; n=4). Group I (control) received distilled water (1 ml/kg). Group II received lead acetate (LA, 120mg/kg) only. Groups III and IV received LA (120mg/kg) followed by AFEPD (1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg, respectively). Groups V and VI received AFEPD (1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg, respectively). All administrations were by oral route. Treatment lasted 28 days; LA was administered from day 1 to day 14, while AFEPD was administered from day 15 to day 28 of the experimental period. Therapeutic activity of AFEPD was assessed by histological examination of the cerebellar cortex with H and E stain. Results: Findings revealed neurodegenerative changes in the cerebellar cortex like perineuronal vacoulations and cytoplasmic shrinkage in molecular layer cells and Purkinje cells in LA-intoxicated group. The administration of AFEPD remarkably ameliorated LA-induced cerebellar damage dose dependently. Normal cerebellar histoarchitecture was observed with administration of AFEPD only. Conclusion: Results suggest that AFEPD has therapeutic potentials against lead acetate-induced cerebellar damage in Wistar rats.

The aim of this research was to determine the median lethal dose of sesamum indicum seeds in Wistar rats. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats within the ages of five to six weeks and of weights, ranging from (98-160) g of both sexes were used for the experiment. They were categorized into two phases of I and II. Phase I consisted three (3) groups of three (3) animals each. While phase II consisted three (3) groups of one (1) animal each. The phase I group was orogastrically intubated with (10, 100 and 1000) mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of sesamum indicum seeds respectively with the aid of a 2ml syringe with an intubation needle of size 24 mounted on it. The animals in phase II were similarly administered 1600, 2900 and 5000mg/kg body weights of the extract respectively and observed for one hour and ten minutes after every two hours for twenty four hours. Result: No mortality or any physical signs of toxicity were observed in any of the groups. Conclusion: The LD50 of ethanolic extract of sesamum indicum seeds is above 5000mg/kg body weight in adult Wistar rats.