Quantitative phytochemistry and neuro- histological effect of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp aqueous extract on traumatic brain injury in albino rats

Abstract

Tamarindus indica has numerous therapeutic benefits. Its therapeutic effects have been reported in some neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease in rats. This study evaluated quantitative phytochemistry and effect of tamarind fruit pulp extract in traumatic brain injury (TBI) - induced neurobehavioral and histological changes in rats. Six groups of five rats each were used for this study. Groups I, II, III, and IV were treated with tamarind fruit pulp extract at doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, orally, after being induced with TBI. Rats in group V were traumatized but not treated (TNT), while rats in group VI were not traumatized and were not treated (NTNT). The administration of treatment commenced 30 minutes after the occurrence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and persisted for 21 consecutive days. The fruit was extracted using water, while HPLC quantified the phytochemicals. Neurological severity scores and novel object discrimination tests were carried out. The histological appearance of the brain tissue was also evaluated. The tamarind fruit pulp extract showed the characteristic peaks of rutin flavonoids, caffeic acids and tannic acids in the HPLC analysis. Tamarind fruit pulp extract improved neurological scores and memory function in the treated groups compared to group V, which did not show improvement. Histological results showed few lesions in the treated groups, while in the TNT group, massive and diffused lesions were observed. This study has shown that Tamarindus indica fruit contains neuro-therapeutic substances which may benefit TBI patients by improving their neurological and memory function.