Lead Toxicity: Effect of Launaea taraxacifolia on the Histological and Oxidative alterations in Rat Regio III Cornu ammonis and Cerebellum

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a widespread toxic metal found in the environment and poses potential danger to human health despite its varied  daily usage. This study investigated the possible protective role of Launaea taraxacifolia ethanol extract (LTEE) against lead  acetate-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty male adult Wistar rats were randomized into five groups of six rats each: I, Control: 0.5  mL/day of distilled water; II, 0.5 mL/rat/day of propylene glycol; III, LTEE, 400 mg/kg/day of LTEE; VI, lead acetate (PbAct) 75 mg/kg/day; V, LTEE+PbAct, 400 mg/kg/day of LTEE plus lead acetate 75 mg/kg/day. All treatments were administered for 42 days using gavage. Behavioural studies, antioxidant parameters [malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione (GSH), and super oxide  dismutase (SOD)], and histology of rat regio III cornu ammonis and cerebellum were examined in the different groups. Lead  acetate  caused significant (p<0.0.05) reduction of the behavioural parameters, and induced lipid peroxidation, reduced GSH level, increased SOD activity, and altered the microanatomy of the rat regio III cornu ammonis and cerebellum when compared  with the control. The changes in MDA and GSH concentration and SOP activity and behavioural parameters were significantly  (p<0.0.05) mitigated in rats co-treated with LTEE when compared with the lead-treated rats. Similarly, co-administration of LTEE with lead acetate inhibited lead acetate induced-neurotoxicity by reversing the altered microanatomy of the regio III cornu  ammonis and cerebellum of rat. It is concluded that LTEE has beneficial effects and ameliorated lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity via its antioxidant property.

Keywords: Lead acetate, Launaea taraxacifolia, cornu ammonis 3, Cerebellum, Oxidative stress