Neuroprotective effects of Lippia javanica (Burm.F.) Spreng. Herbal tea infusion on Lead-induced oxidative brain damage in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background Though Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng antioxidant activity has been demonstrated, its effect in protecting the brain from lead (Pb)-induced oxidative damage is unknown. This study investigated the effect of L. javanica against Pb-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and acetylcholinesterase activity in rat’s brain. Methods L. javanica herbal tea infusion was prepared, its phytochemical constituent was revealed by liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and was administered simultaneously with Pb. Four groups of male Wistar rats (n = 5/group) were used: control received distilled water; Pb-acetate group received 50 mg Pb/ Kg bodyweight (bw), treatment group received 50 mg Pb/ Kg Pb-acetate + 5 ml/kg bw L. javanica and L. javanica group received 5 ml/Kg bw of L. javanica tea infusion only. After 6 weeks of treatment, oxidative status, acetylcholinesterase activity, inflammation and apoptosis was assessed in brain tissue which was also histologically examined. Results Mean brain and heart weight was reduced (p < 0.05) while liver and spleen weights were increased (p < 0.05) in Pb exposed animals but were prevented by L. juvanica treatment. Treatment with L. javanica increased (p < 0.05) overall brain antioxidant status (glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities) and reduced lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) compared to the Pb exposed animals. Pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrotic factor-alpha, pro-apoptosis Bax protein and anticholinesterase activity were reduced (p < 0.05) in Pb-L. javanica treated animals compared to the Pb exposed group. Histological examination confirmed neuroprotective effects of L. javanica as evidenced by reduced apoptosis/necrosis and inflammation-induced vacuolization and oedema in the hippocampus. The L. javanica treatment alone had no detrimental effects to the rats. LC-MS analysis revealed L. javanica to be rich in phenolics. Conclusions This study demonstrated that L. javanica, rich in phenolics was effective in reducing Pb-induced brain oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, acetylcholinesterase activity and neuronal damage.

In vitro immunomodulation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by medicinal plants used traditionally to treat pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa.

“…In our study, we assessed the immunomodulatory effect of the medicinal plant, and found an anti-in ammatory effect of Lippia on macrophages, while it remained nontoxic to the tested macrophages and to hepatocarcinoma cells. The anti-in ammatory ndings from this study correlate well with the results obtained in previous studies conducted on Wistar rats, which demonstrated that the medicinal plant possesses neuroprotective effects as it reduced Pb-induced brain oxidative stress, in ammation, and neuronal damage (15), and again Lippia inhibited the Th 2 -mediated immune response in asthmatic Wistar rats, with the reduction in serum IgE, and in ammatory cytokines and NO (16).…”

In Vitro Immunomodulation of Raw 264.7 Macrophages and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally to Treat Pulmonary Tuberculosis in South Africa.

“…In our study, we assessed the immunomodulatory effect of the medicinal plant, and found an anti-inflammatory effect of Lippia on macrophages, while it remained non-toxic to the tested macrophages and to hepatocarcinoma cells. The anti-inflammatory findings from this study correlate well with the results obtained in previous studies conducted on Wistar rats, which demonstrated that the medicinal plant possesses neuroprotective effects as it reduced Pb-induced brain oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage [15], and again Lippia inhibited the Th2 -mediated immune response in asthmatic Wistar rats, with the reduction in serum IgE, and inflammatory cytokines and NO [16].…”

An Updated Review (2015–2022) on the Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Importance of Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng.

“…Several of the newly compiled metabolites from L. javanica were isolated from the aerial parts of the plant, with the leaf being the most implicated, correlating the assertion of Maroyi [1]. Cis-p-coumaric acid, 2,4-dimethylpyridin-3,5-diol, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, trans-cinnamic, syringaldehyde, and ferulic acid were isolated by Suleman et al [59], from the leaf extract of L. javanica and implicated them to have acetylcholinesterase activity while being effective in reducing Pb-induced brain oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal damage. Adeogun et al [57] on the other hand isolated several classes of compounds from the wet and dry leave of L. javanica using different oil extraction techniques (Solvent-free microwave extraction and hydrodistillation) and implicated the oil extract to have moderate toxicity toward Artemia salina, a pest implicated in spoilage of food.…”

“…epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene and alloaromadrene, etc); esters (e.g. 3-Tetradecen-5-yne, (E); 9-Borabicyclo (3.3.1) nonane, 9-(3-methoxycyclohexyl) oxy-; 4-Cyclopropylcyclohexane, Cyclohexyldichlorophosphine, 1H-Pyrazole, 1,3,5-trimethyl, etc); ketones (thujone, mesityl oxide, and isophorone) and aldehydes (2-Hexenal (E)) [53][54][55][56][57][58][59]. Interestingly, this observation regarding the wide range of compound classes is consistent with a previous report [1] in confirming the diverse range of metabolites in L. javanica and could be due to several reasons.…”