SUMMARY: Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has potent sedative effect, which may result in severe unpleasant consequences if not controlled. This necessitated this study on the effect of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on RV-induced behaviour, biochemical activities, and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex. Eighteen male Wistar rats of average weight 266 g were grouped into three (1-3). Group 1 was the control administered 0.5 mL of Tween®20, while groups 2 and 3 were administered 150 mg/kg of RV, and a combination of 150 mg/kg of RV and 200 mg/kg of GL (RV+GL), respectively for seven days. Twelve hours after treatments, open field neurobehavioral test was carried-out and the animals euthanized. Their sera were analyzed, and their cerebral cortices routinely processed by H&E method. There was lower (p<0.05) ambulatory, rearing and freezing activities in the RV group, while there was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in all the groups. Cerebral cortical neurohistology of RV and RV+GL groups showed most neurons appearing hypertrophied with pyknotic nuclei in some, and less cellular population compared with the control group. RV produces sedative behaviour, and cerebral cortical neurohistological changes, which GL combination may help modulate.

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Aim: To provide information on the interactive influence of Sida acuta and Rauvolfia vomitoria on the hippocampus of albino rats using neurohistological parameter. Methods: Thirty-five (35) female adult albino rats were used for the experiment. They were randomly divided into seven groups of five animals in each group. Group 1: The control group was given feed and water ad libitum for 28 days. Groups 2-7 served as the experimental groups. Group 2: Received 200 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta leaf extract for 14 days. Group 3: Received 212.5 mg/kg body weight of Rauvolfia vomitoria leaf extract for 14 days. Group 4: Received 200 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta and 212.5 mg/kg body weight of Rauvolfia vomitoria leaf extract for 14 days. Group 5: Received 200 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta leaf extract for 14 days, then              212.5 mg/kg body weight of Rauvolfia vomitoria for the remaining 14 days. Group 6: Received             400 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta leaf extract for 14 days, then 425 mg/kg body weight of Rauvolfia vomitoria for the remaining 14 days. Group 7: Received 600 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta leaf extract for 14 days, then 850 mg/kg body weight of Rauvolfia vomitoria for the remaining 14 days. Results: Sida acuta at the tested dose of 200 mg/kg body weight induced degeneration of pyramidal cells when compared to the control, Rauvolfia vomitoria at the tested dose of 212.5 kg/mg body weight exhibited neuroprotective effect, co-administration of both Sida acuta at 200 mg/kg body weight and Rauvolfia vomitoria at 212.5 mg/kg body weight and administration of Rauvolfia vomitoria after Sida acuta at increasing doses significantly reverse these changes to near normal when compared to the group that received 200 mg/kg body weight of Sida acuta for 14 days. Conclusion: Rauvolfia vomitoria had the potential of ameliorating the neurodegenerative effect caused by the Sida acuta leaf extract on the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus albino rats.