Garcinia kola improves cognitive and motor function of a rat model of acute radiation syndrome in the elevated plus maze

Abstract

We reported recently that the elevated plus maze is a good tool for evaluating cognitive and motor functional changes in gamma-irradiated rats as a model for new drug evaluation and monitoring. The capacity of Garcinia kola to mitigate radiation-induced brain injury is currently unknown. We therefore assessed the effects of the neuroprotective medicinal plant Garcinia kola, on the cognitive and motor changes in this murine model of acute radiation syndrome. Wistar rats exposed once to an ionizing dose of Tc99m-generated Gamma radiation were treated with an ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of G. kola seeds (content of 100 mg/kg of extract) for 9 weeks. Cognitive and motor function indicators were assessed in the elevated plus maze in these animals and compared with irradiated control groups (vitamin C- and vehicle-treated groups) and the non-irradiated control rats. The irradiated control group displayed cachexia, shaggy and dirty fur, porphyrin deposits around eyes, decreased exploratory activity, reduced social interactions and a loss of thigmotaxis revealed by a marked decrease in rearing episodes and stretch attend posture episodes close to the walls of elevated plus maze closed arm, an increased central platform time, and decreases in open arm time and entries. This group further displayed a decrease in head dips and grooming episodes. Treatment with G. kola, and in a lesser extent vitamin C, significantly prevented the body weight loss (P < 0.001) and mitigated the development of elevated plus maze signs of cognitive and motor affections observed in the irradiated control group (P < 0.05). Altogether, our data suggest for the first time that G. kola seeds have protective properties against the development of cognitive and motor decline in the acute radiation syndrome-like context. Future studies are warranted to characterize the molecular mechanisms and neuronal networks of this action.

An Eluate of the Medicinal Plant Garcinia kola Displays Strong Antidiabetic and Neuroprotective Properties in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

“…Subfractions F2–F5 of ethyl acetate also improved the animal condition, nervous system dysfunction signs, and performance on the HGT of diabetic animals. Subfraction F5, which had the strongest effects, improved all factors measured in diabetic animals and restored the body weight to values comparable to the nondiabetic vehicle group, as in studies performed with crude G. kola and extracts [ 24 , 25 ] and in models of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions [ 26 , 44 – 47 ], indicating that F5 contains at least some major neuroprotective constituents of G. kola . Furthermore, F5 effects were dose dependent.…”

“…These effects were mediated partly by protecting cerebellar neurons from apoptosis and by decreasing neuroinflammation [ 24 , 25 ]. Moreover, we recently reported the ability of G. kola to improve cognitive and motor functions in a rat model of acute radiation syndrome [ 26 – 27 ]. Interestingly, at the same time, other recent studies also reported G. kola neuroprotective activities in various models of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions [ 28 – 31 ], calling for further studies to develop neuroprotective drugs from G. kola seeds.…”

Fruits and their phytochemicals in mitigating the ill effects of ionizing radiation: review on the existing scientific evidence and way forward

“…112 Wistar rats were exposed to gamma radiation followed by treatment with an ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seeds. 112 The treatment at a concentration of 100 mg kg −1 of the extract was carried out for 9 weeks. The elevated plus-maze experiments were performed to evaluate the cognitive and motor functions in irradiated groups and non-irradiated control rats.…”

“…In summary, the analysis revealed that the Garcinia kola seeds have protective properties against the decline in cognitive and motor development in the acute radiation syndrome. 112…”

“…111 The neuroprotective medicinal effect of Garcinia kola was assessed in a rat model of radiation syndrome. 112 Wistar rats were exposed to gamma radiation followed by treatment with an ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seeds. 112 The treatment at a concentration of 100 mg kg −1 of the extract was carried out for 9 weeks.…”