Neuronal cell membrane protective effects of <I>Combretum micranthum</I> methanol leaf extract on lead-induced brain damage in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

<jats:p>Combretum micranthum is used traditionally for many therapeutic purposes such as fatigue, liver ailments, headache, convalescence, blood disease, weight loss among others. Studies suggested that free radical production may be one main reason behind stress induces neurochemical changes that include neurotransmitter imbalance and histopathological alterations in the brain cell. Thus this study examined the relationship between brain histopathological alterations and neurotransmitter imbalance (gamma aminobutyric acid - GABA) in lead exposure, and possible neuroprotective role of Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract in mice. Thirty six (36) Swiss Albino mice (19 - 22g body weight) were used for the study, randomized equally into six groups and treated for the period 14days: a) Normal Control (Distilled water), b) Negative control (40 mg/kg lead acetate), c) lead acetate + 100 mg/kg b.w. extract, d) lead acetate + 50 mg/kg b.w. extract, e) lead acetate + 25 mg/kg b.w. extract and f) positive control (lead acetate + diazepam 0.5 mg/kg b.w). The study assayed for protective potential of Combretum micranthum on neuronal cell membrane through determination of the brain cells malondialdyhyde (MDA) levels, morphology and GABA levels. Result of the study showed a significantly increase level of GABA in the brain of mice administered doses of the extract with a decreased level of MDA, as compared to those mice treated with 40 mg/kg lead acetate alone, which showed decreased level in GABA (310.83pg/ml), but an increased level of MDA (30.03μmolTBARS/mg). Also the mice administered doses of the extract showed normal neurons while intensive neuronal necrosis was observed on those mice treated with 40mg/kg lead acetate alone. However, mice administered with the doses of the extract shows no any significant difference with those in the normal control and positive control treatment groups. Also the Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract was found, using GC-MS, to contain propargylamine, a compound known to possess anti-apoptosis functions, and also those with GABAergic functions 3,4-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid. Findings of the present study has proven Combretum micranthum to be a potential plant in managing and preventing brain structural damage induced by lead administration.&#x0D; Keywords: Lead, Combretum micranthum, GABA, malondialdyhyde (MDA) and histopathology</jats:p>

Combretum micranthum G. Don (Combretaceae): A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology

“…Sesamol Leaves [23] 128 3-tetradecanone Leaves [45] 129 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydroxy-Cyclohexane Ester Glucoside Leaves [49] 130 3-Deshydroxysappanol Trimethyl Ether Leaves [50] 131 Megastigmatrienone Leaves [36] 132 Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Leaves [51] 133 2-DimethylAcetic acid Leaves [52] 134 2-(Aminooxy)-Ethanamine Leaves [52] 135 Propargylamine Leaves [52] 136 3,4-Dichlorophenylhydrazine Leaves [52] 137 (Aminooxy)-Acetic acid Leaves [52] 138 Guanidine Leaves [52] 139 N-Cyclohexanecarbonylpentadecylamine Leaves [41] 140 Nonoxynol-9 Leaves [41] 141 Phloionolic acid Leaves [41] 142 C16 Sphinganine Leaves [41] 143 C17 Sphinganine Leaves [41] 144 Thioridazine Leaves [41] 145 α-Tocopherol Leaves [45] Other organic compounds 146 Atavaquone Leaves [31] 147 12-tricosanol Leaves [31] 148 Fenarimol Leaves [31] 149 Malic acid Leaves [33] 150 Oxalic acid Leaves [33] 151 Tartaric acid Leaves [33] 152 Citric acid Leaves [33] 153 Glycolic acid Leaves Minerals 156 Potassium nitrate Leaves [26] 157 Calcium Seeds [44] 158 Magnesium Seeds [44] 159 Potassium Seeds [44] phenylacetic acid (50). Their chemical structures are shown in Figure 3.…”

“…Currently, 15 fatty acids (65-79) have been identified in the leaves and seeds of C. micranthum, including 7 saturated (65-71) and 8 unsaturated (72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79). All of these fifteen compounds are found in the seeds and only seven (65-67, 71, 75-77) in the leaves.…”

“…[32] 4.7. Anxiolytic Activity Mohammed et al (2019) examined the effect of methanol extract of the leaves on the GABA receptor via In-silico analysis. Molecular docking analyses indicated strong and efficient interactions between the GABAA receptor and the compounds (ligands) of C. micranthum: 3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine, and aminooxyacetic acid.…”

“…The results showed that 3,5dichlorophenylhydrazine has a binding energy close to that of diazepam. [52] Amali et al (2020) evaluated the behavioral effect and anxiolytic potential of C. micranthum in mice. Preliminary data indicated that it modulated the behavioral paradigm and possessed a dose-dependent anxiolytic effect in mice.…”

“…[74] Mohammed et al (2020) showed that compounds present in C. micranthum leaf extract have a beneficial effect on the modulation and maintenance of brain cell integrity, which may have greater importance as an agent therapeutic in the prevention or slowing down of diseases linked to neurodegeneration. [75]…”