WISTAR RATS

Cerebellar dysfunction, marked by impaired coordination and balance, often result from toxic or degenerative damage to cerebellar neurons. Excessive exposure to manganese chloride, a neurotoxic compound, disrupts neuronal integrity through oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to motor and structural deficits. Vanillin, a natural phenolic compound with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential in mitigating such neurotoxic effects. This study therefore investigated the protective effect of vanillin against manganese chloride–induced cerebellar toxicity in Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as the control group; Group B rats were administered 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group C rats were administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin and 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group D was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride and 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group E was administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group F was given 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin. All administrations lasted for twentyeight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activities were evaluated using the open field, movement initiation, step and string Tests. Results from the study revealed that rats exposed to manganese chloride exhibited significant (p<0.05) weight loss, motor deficit, impaired antioxidant defense, elevated lipid peroxidation and degeneration of Purkinje cells and molecular layer neurons. However, pre-treatment with Vanillin significantly (p<0.05) mitigated these manganese chloride-induced cerebellar alterations in Wistar rats. Overall, the findings from this study indicate that vanillin possesses strong antioxidant properties, supporting its potential as an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment and management of manganese chlorideinduced cerebellar dysfunction