Neuroprotective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on aluminium-induced temporal cortical degeneration

Abstract

Aluminium (Al), one of the metals implicated in neurodegeneration easily gain access to the nervous system through its presence in many manufactured foods, medicines and drinking water, and causes neurotoxicity utilizing the reactive oxygen specie pathway. The need to curtail these effects on the nervous system motivated the use of the plant Moringa oleifera (MO). This study thus, investigated the neuroprotective effects of MO leaf extract on aluminium-induced temporal cortical degeneration in rats. 24 male albino Wistar rats were grouped (n = 6) into control (1 ml/kg distilled water), l00 mg/kg aluminium chloride (AlCl), 300 mg/kg MO, and 100 mg/kg AlCl and 300 mg/kg MO groups. The administration lasted for 28 days and the rats were sacrificed on day 29 by perfusion-fixation after blood was obtained for serum Al estimation. The brain tissues were then routinely processed for some histological and immunnolabelling studies. There was no significant difference in serum Al in the test groups. Histological results showed atrophied and karyorrhetic cells with loss of Nissl substance in the temporal cortex of the AlCl group, while no adverse effect was observed in the cytoarchitecture of the temporal cortex and Nissl substance of the MO group. However, groups which were administered AlCl simultaneously with MO extract showed less degenerative features in the cyto-architecture of the temporal cortex with normal Nissl substance staining. There was increased neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in the AlCl group, while the MO group also showed increased NSE but decreased GFAP expression. However, the group which were administered AlCl simultaneously with MO extract showed less expression of NSE and GFAP. In conclusion, MO protects against Al-induced neurotoxicity of the temporal cortex of rats.

Nutraceutical or Pharmacological Potential of Moringa oleifera Lam.

“…Mechanically, it can also decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, but can increase SOD and catalase (CAT) activity. In addition, compared with the aluminum-alone group, the administration of M. oleifera leaf extract at the dose of 300 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days in rats with aluminum chloride-induced temporal cortical degeneration protected against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity of the temporal cortex of rats by decreasing the expression of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) [ 47 ].…”

In Vitro Anti-Cholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts of Moringa oleifera Plants from Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Extracts from M. oleifera display multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], antibacterial [ 35 ], antioxidant [ 36 ], anti-cancer [ 37 ], hepatoprotective [ 38 , 39 ] and neuroprotective [ 40 , 41 , 42 ] activities. The leaves and fruits also possess hypocholesterolaemic activity in Wistar rats [ 43 ] and rabbits [ 44 ].…”

Notes on the Recent History of Neuroscience in Africa

“…In the 1970s and early 1980s, neuroepidemiological studies dominated tropical neurology (Osuntokun, 1978 ; Ogunniyi, 2010 ). More recently, research has focused on neuroprotective properties of indigenous plant extracts, neurotoxicity of environmental factors, neurogenomics, stroke, epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia, amongst others (Okubadejo et al, 2006 ; Akinyemi et al, 2014 , 2016 ; Lekoubou et al, 2014 ; Mkenda et al, 2016 ; Ekong et al, 2017 ; Folarin et al, 2017 ; Ilesanmi et al, 2017 ; Ojagbemi et al, 2017 ).…”