Chronic consumption of calabash chalk diet impairs locomotor activities and social behaviour in Swiss white Cd-1 mice

Abstract

There are safety concerns as regards the consumption of Calabash chalk which is common practice in some localities in Africa and Asia. Calabash chalk contains lead (Pb) and arsenic which are believed to be harmful to the brain and responsible for cognitive dysfunction. It is possible that calabash chalk consumption may affect other neuronal activities in the body such as locomotion and social behaviour. Hence, this present research study investigated the effects of consumption of this diet on locomotion and social behaviour in mice. Forty-five Swiss white mice of mixed sex were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 15 mice each. Group 1 served as control, while groups 2 and 3 received low and high doses of calabash chalk diets respectively. Feeding lasted for 30 days and thereafter their locomotor and social behaviors were assessed. Their locomotor behaviour was assessed using the open field maze while their social behaviour was studied with the aid of nesting behaviour test. Results showed that the calabash chalk diet-fed mice had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) line crossing frequency compared to control. The nesting score of the calabash chalk diet-fed mice was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to control. In conclusion, consumption of calabash chalk impairs locomotion and social behaviour in mice.

Resveratrol Attenuates Learning, Memory, and Social Interaction Impairments in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

“…GSH as the most important antioxidant factor plays a critical role to protect neurons from stress disturbances; meanwhile, As and interactions with GSH contents and related enzymes have connected changes with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease [54], because of reduced GPx and glutathione reductase that convert GSH to GSSG form. On the other hand, another investigation has exhibited poor social behavior in mice which had long-term consumption of a special diet containing As, and more research have proven that As exposure is able to modify social behavior by regulating serotonin receptors, reducing BDNF (brainderived neurotrophic factor) [55,56], and increasing inflammatory and oxidative compounds that cause changes in 9 BioMed Research International mood owing to alternations in gene expression and synaptic plasticity [56]. Adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK), which control cellular energy balance and neuronal development, is affected in As toxicity and may cause neurodegenerative diseases [57].…”

Chemical analysis of calabash chalk and its effect on locomotor activities and behavior in Swiss albino mice

“…Pregnant women usually consume earth materials to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness or vomiting. However, geophagy is not restricted by age group, sex, race, geographic region, or period, and is present in almost every country of the world [ 1 , 3 ]. Cultural transfer of geophagy is taking place around the globe by the immigrants.…”

“…Calabash chalk is imported from Nigeria and South Asia. Importantly, these can be ordered online and marketed in ethnic stores [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. The reasons behind the consumption of this soil/chalk can be attributed to medicinal usage, regular diet, nutritional needs, religious belief, feeling of misery, homesickness, depression, and alienation [ 5 ].…”

“…Calabash chalk, a geophagic substance, has distinct names such as Calabar rock in English, Ndom/Nzu by the Nigerian tribe Efik/Ibibio/Igbo, Argile/La Craie by French, and Sikor in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Ebumba, Poto, and Ulo are also used elsewhere [ 3 ]. Naturally occurring calabash chalk is composed of fossilized shells.…”

Evaluation of the effects of calabash chalk on the haematological profile of Wistar rats

“…They occur as pellets or large blocks predominantly found in West Africa, especially in Nigeria where they are known by local names such as nzu (Igbo), eko (Bini), ndom (Efik/Ibibio). They are known as mabele, shilè and umcako in the Congo, Ghana and South Africa respectively (Dean et al, 2004;Ekong et al, 2012;Owhorji et al, 2019). Calabash chalk remains one of the widely 2 consumed earth minerals in the practice of geophagia with reasons for its deliberate consumption ranging from age-long unproven medicinal benefits to habits, cultural beliefs and cravings.…”