Research Journal of Health Sciences
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Date
2018-02-01
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Abstract
Objectives: Cuprizone is a neurotoxicant used in modeling demyelinating disorders. This study explored
the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) on oxidative, histomorphological and behavioural changes in
cuprizone-damaged cerebellum.
Methods: Twenty adult female Wistar rats were grouped into 4, each group having five animals. Group A
received 1 ml of normal saline (Control); group B received 0.4% cuprizone; group C received 15.6
mg/kgBW Moringa oleifera leaf extract; group D received 0.4% cuprizone and 15.6 mg/kgBW Moringa
oleifera, orally for 5 weeks. The animals were assessed for exploratory and locomotor activities, while the
cerebellum was processed for histology and assayed for nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide
dismutase (SOD) activities.
Results: Cuprizone treatment caused weight reduction, disruption of Purkinje cell layer, cellular
degeneration, reduction in NO, CAT and SOD activities. However, these changes were ameliorated when
co-administered with MO.
Conclusion: The anti-oxidative property of Moringa oleifera is responsible for its ameliorative effect in
cuprizone neurotoxicity.
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Keywords
demyelination, cuprizone, cerebellar damage, Moringa oleifera, oxidative enzymes