ADAZE. B. ENOGIERU

Lead exposure is thought to be harmful and has been linked to behavioral abnormalities, hearing deficiencies, neuromuscular weakness, and decreased cognitive abilities in humans. Flavonoids have beneficial biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral, anticarcinogenic effects. Flavonoids are the most recognised phytochemicals that function as antioxidants. Flavonoids' antioxidant activity includes suppressing ROS generation by inhibiting enzymes, scavenging free radicals, and regulating antioxidant defenses. Rutin is a typical dietary flavonoid that is nontoxic and naturally derived. It has a variety of beneficial biological properties including anti-cancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, haematoprotective, anti-arthritis, anthelmintic effects. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the possible attenuative effects of Rutin on lead-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. After purchase and acclimatization, the Wistar rats were weighed and divided into six equal groups (control and treatment groups). Group A (Control) was administered 1 ml dH2O/day. Group B (Pb) was administered 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Pb acetate only. Group C (RUT1 + Pb) was administered 50 mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100 mg/kg BW of Pb acetate. Group D (RUT2 + Pb) was administered 100 mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100mg/kg of Pb acetate. Group E (RUT1) was administered 50 mg/kg BW of Rutin only and Group F (RUT2) was administered 100mg/kg BW of Rutin only. The administration, via an orogastric tube, lasted for 28 days and rats were fed with standard rat chow and had free access to water throughout the entire study period. All Rutin administration pre-treatment were done one hour before Lead. Animals were weighed and neurobehavioral activity (Novel object recognition test) was evaluated. The rats were then sacrificed for sample collection, and the hippocampus was harvested for assessment of antioxidant activity and histological alterations . The findings showed that the Pb group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in final body weight (FBW) compared to the control and Rutin treated groups, which showed a greater FBW. Neurobehavioral findings revealed that rats in the Pb group had significantly lower neurobehavioral function when compared to Control and Rutin treated groups. The Pb alone groups demonstrated oxidative stress (low antioxidant activity and increased lipid peroxidation), whereas the Control and Rutin treated groups had significant increase (p<0.05) in antioxidant activity. Histological findings shows altered morphology with the presence of vacuoles and pyknotic nuclei in the CA1 region of the Pb treated group, however the pretreated groups showed a healthier tissue architecture when compared to lead only treated group. In conclusion, the findings showed that Rutin was not toxic to the animals and protected against Pb toxicity.

Many different forms of exposure to Cadmium have been shown over the past century with Cadmium
been present in the environment as a result of many human activities. The constant sources of Cadmium
contamination are related to it's application in industry as a corrosive reagent, as well as it's use as a stabilizer in PVC products, color pigments and Ni-Cd batteries. In areas with contaminated soils, house dust is a potential route for cadmium exposure. Cadmium exposure causes pathological conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Medicinal drugs have been
administered to fight the effect on humans. Due to this, many plants have been discovered for the treatment of the disease caused by Cadmium. Turmeric is one of the medicinal plants which contains anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which helps to fight against oxidative stress caused by Cadmium. It helps fight against neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, this research was designed to
evaluate the protective activity of the ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract on cadmium-induced hippocampal damage in adult Wistar rats. For this study period of twenty-one days, thirty adult Wistar rats were randomized into six groups(A-F) consisting of five rats each. The rats were left to acclimatize for two weeks after which their weights were taken and recorded as initial weights while feeding then
with standard rat chow and free access to water throughout the study. All administration, given orally, started with Group A serving as the control group and received 1ml of water. Group B was given 5mg/kg
body weight of Cadmium only. Groups C and D were given 100mg and 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract and 5mg/kg body weight of cadmium respectively. Groups E and F
were given only 100mg and 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract, respectively. At the end of the experiment, neurobehavioural activity (y-maze test) was evaluated, recorded, and the rats were then sacrificed for sample collection. Following appropriate harvesting of the hippocampus, the antioxidant activity and histological alterations were investigated. Results showed a significant decrease in the brain and body weight of rats treated with cadmium. For the Y-maze test, Curcuma longa demonstrated significant inhibition of Cadmium-induced cognitive dysfunction. Curcuma longa produced a significant decrease in MDA level and increased SOD, CAT, GPx enzymes as compared to the Cadmium treated group. The histology of rats pre-treated with ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract showed considerable retention of the normal histological morphology of the hippocampus. In conclusion, the findings of the study validated the toxicity of cadmium and provided the first research evidence of the protective activity of Curcuma longa against cadmium toxicity in adult Wistar rats.