Browsing by Author "Fasakin, Olamide Wilson"

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    Effect of methanolic extract of Aframomum melegueta seeds on some biochemical parameters of the brain of the rat treated with monosodium glutamate
    (Biochemistry,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Fasakin, Olamide Wilson
    The study evaluated the biochemical effects of methanolic extract of Aframomum melegueta seed on the brain of monosodium glutamate (MSG) neurotoxic induced rats. It also investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the extract with a view to determining the efficacy of the seed extract as a remedy for management of neurotoxic disorders. Methanolic extract of A. melegueta (MEAM) was prepared according to standard methods, phytochemically screened and evaluated for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials. The effect of the extract on MSG-treated rats was evaluated using thirty white albino Wister rats of either sex, which were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each. Group I served as control, Group II received MSG (2 g/kg bwt), Group III received MSG (2 g/kg bwt) and MEAM (125 mg/kg bwt) 1 hr after MSG administration, Group IV received MSG (2 g/kg bwt orally) and MEAM (250 mg/kg bwt) 1 hr after MSG administration. Also, Group V received MSG (2 g/kg bwt) and gabapentin (20 mg/kg bwt) 1 hr after MSG administration and Group VI received MEAM (175 mg/kg bwt) only. The rats were treated orally and consistently for 21 days. The behavioral activities of the animals were monitored and recorded. On the 22nd day, the rats were sacrificed after overnight fasting. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture while the whole brain was removed either for the preparation of 10% (w/v) brain homogenate or histopathological studies. The brain homogenate was used for the evaluation of brain marker enzymes, antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), lipid profiles (brain and blood) and protein concentration was carried out using standard methods. Histopathological studies were also carried out on the brain tissue using standard techniques. Statistical analyses were carried out using GraphPad Prism 3. Phytochemical screening of MEAM revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The total flavonoid content of the methanolic extract was 73.98 ± 3.08 mg/g RE (Rutin Equivalent), phenolic content was 599.04 ± 7.67 mg/g extract TAE (Tannic acid Equivalent), Vitamins C and E contents of the methanolic extract were 1.61 ± 0.04 mg/g extract and 0.12 ± 0.01 mg/g extract TE (Trolox Equivalent) respectively. The extract exhibited appreciable antioxidant potentials, with DPPH-radical scavenging of IC50 value of 306.84 mg/L and ascorbic acid (15.25 mg/L). The extract also exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory properties, with percentage membrane stability ranging between 14.13% and 31.17%. The administration of MSG significantly caused reduced animal weights (6.06%), glutathione (231.10%), nitric oxide (14.29%), Vitamins C (9.89%) and E (4.85%) levels, as well as reduction of activities of glutathione peroxidase (43.86%), catalase (245.31%) and superoxide dismutase (161.54%). Increase in the activities of Na+K+-ATPase (61.31%), acetylcholinesterase (240.40%), glutamine synthetase (218.99%) and monoamine oxidase (32.85%), as well as increase in protein, lipid profiles and peroxidation (70.36%) levels were recorded. Histopathological observations of the brain tissues revealed that the extract protected the brain tissues from the adverse effects of MSG. The study concluded that the extract of A. melegueta seed which ameliorated and reversed the adverse effects elicited by oral administration of MSG on the rats’ brain in a concentration dependent manner could be used in the treatment of neurotoxic disorders.