Atropine exposure in adolescence predispose to adult memory loss in Wistar rats

Abstract

Some of the brain malfunctions in adulthoods have been linked to the developmental process in their childhood, especially in most adolescent who have been exposed to one form of drug abuse or another. This study investigated the effect of atropine exposure at adolescence on the memory and histology of the frontal cortex of Wistar rats and its effects on adult memory. 20 male adolescent Wistar rats were used for the study. The rats were divided into two groups of 10 rats each. The first group were administered with100 mg/kg body weight of atropine (Atr), and the other 10 rats were given 10 mL/kg body weight of normal saline (NS) for 7 days at adolescence. On 8 th day, the rats were subjected to novel object recognition test (NOR) and 'Y' maze test to assess their memory function, 5 rats from each group were euthanized using ketamine and were perfused transcardially with 4% paraformaldehyde. Thereafter, the brains were removed and processed for histology using H&E and Giemsa stain. The remaining 5 rats from each group were reared till adult (65 days postpartum) without treatment denoted as Atr-I and NS-I respectively. The same memory tests and histology study were conducted on the rats at adulthood. Data were analysed using Student t test and P<0.05 was set as significant level. Atr and Atr-1showed decline in memory neither index from NOR compared with NS and NS-I respectively. Atr-I shows decline in Y maze compared to NS-I. The study concludes that atropine exposed rats show significant signs of neural cell death in the frontal cortex which progresses into adulthood as evidence from the histological findings.

Effects of datumetine on hippocampal NMDAR activity

“…This indicates the memory effect of NMDAR electrical activity. Memory decline has been attributed to datura use [ 51 ], although some authors attributed this effect to the anticholinergic properties of the plant [ [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] ]. Our results have shown that tropane alkaloids are not only phytochemical in D. metel that induce memory deficit and that datumetine can also play a major role.…”

Datura metel stramonium exacerbates behavioral deficits, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampal neurotoxicity in mice via redox imbalance

“…However, phytochemical analysis of DM has revealed the presence of other active compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins, scopolamine, atropine, flavonoids, phenols, and glycosides. Electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, and iron are found in the seeds, roots, and leaves [ 4 , 8 , 10 , 80 ], while other chemical components of this plant include ( +)-pinoresinol-O-β-D-diglucopyranoside, ( +)-pinoresinol-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, p-tyrosol, trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine, cis-N-p-coumaroyltyramine, 4-hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl) benzamide, phenylethyl beta -D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1–2)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-O-L-Rhamnopyranoside, and kaempferol-3-L-Rhamnopyranoside [ 80 ].…”

“…The resulting mixture was filtered with Whitman filter paper (No.1) and concentrated to dryness using a vacuum rotary evaporator at 40 0 C. A yield of 75 g of dark green hygroscopic paste-like residue was obtained, stored in universal bottles and refrigerated at 4 0 C for subsequent use. The dosage of DM administration was based on results obtained from our pilot and previous studies, which reported LD50 of DM as 328.5 mg/kg/b.wt [ 10 , 82 ].…”

“…Moreover, in folklore medicine, DM is employed to treat various pathologies due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties [ 6 – 9 ]. Its leaves, seeds, and fruits are added to liquor or are dried, rolled, and smoked like cigarettes [ 10 , 11 ]. Its numerous properties and uses are attributed to its phytochemical constituents.…”