Neuroprotective Mechanism of Ethanolic Extract of Irvingia gabonensis Stem Bark against Cadmium-induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Objective: To explore the neuroprotective effect of Irvingia gabonensis (IG) against cadmium-induced oxidative damage in rats brain.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical sciences, (Biochemistry laboratory), Afe Babalola University and Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria between February 2014 and May 2014.
Methods: The study was performed on twenty (20) male rats divided into four groups: a control group, cadmium group (4mgkg-1day-1, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) and cadmium toxication groups received 200 and 400mgkg-1 body weight of extract by oral gavage for 28 days. The degree of protection in brain tissue was evaluated by the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and histological examination were monitored.
Results: Irvingia gabonensis showed a significant (P>.05) brain-protective effect by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation and elevate the activities of antioxidative enzymes and level of GSH. Furthermore, histological alterations in brain were observed in cadmium untreated rats and were ameliorated in cadmium-induced treated rats with IG.
Conclusions: Consequently Irvingia gabonensis blocked oxidative brain damage induced by cadmium in rats. These data suggest that Irvingia gabonensis extract may play a very useful role in reduction of the neurotoxicological damage induced by cadmium.