Effect of Muira Puama Extract on Neuro Behaviours and Prefrontal Cortex Histomorphology in Aluminium Chloride Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of Muira puama extract on open field behaviours and prefrontal cortex histomorphology of selected wistar rats induced with Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3). Exposure to AlCl3 has been discovered to be linked to mental health conditions such as anxiety characterized by excessive fear, altered emotional processing, etc. Sixty healthy adult wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups of ten animals each. The groups A, B, C received normal saline (10mL/kg), Muira puama 25mg/kg, and Muira puama 50mg/kg respectively. The groups D, E, F received Aluminum Chloride 100mg/kg, Aluminum Chloride 100mg/kg with Muira puama 25mg/kg and Aluminum Chloride 100mg/kg with Muira puama 50mg/kg respectively. Substance administration was done through oral gavage concurrently for 3 weeks (21 days). Behavioural assessments were conducted using the open field test to evaluate locomotor activity and some anxiety-like behaviours in the rats. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The brain was dissected out, observed grossly, weighed and fixed in 10 % formalin. Sections of the brain were processed for paraffin-embedding, cut at 5 µm and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for general histological study. Results showed that Muira puama extract significantly reduced signs of neurodegeneration in the prefrontal cortex, and also the adverse behavioural effects associated with Aluminum Chloride exposure leading to a reduction in anxiety-like behaviours. This study has shown that Muira puama extract may offer protective effect against Aluminum Chloride-induced neurotoxicity. While its whole mechanisms of action was not captured within the scope of this study, Muira puama extract treatment could be used to counter the harmful effects of Aluminum chloride. However, its beneficial effects in humans needs more findings.