FICUS EXASPERATA

Ficus exasperata is a deciduous, dioecious medicinal plant of the Mulberry family, which is widely employed in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic and pharmacological properties. Despite its extensive medicinal application, there are very limited research on the effects of its ethanol leaf extract on the cerebrum. This study therefore, investigates the potential effects of the ethanol leaf extract on the structure and function of the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) adult Wistar rats, divided into: control, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose treatment groups. were treated with graded concentration of sand paper leaf extract (200mg, 400mg, 600mg, 800mg, 1000mg/kg body weight respectively), for a period of 30 days. Biochemical and histological analyses were then conducted to assess cerebral functions and structural changes. The result revealed administration of the ethanol leaf extract of Ficus exasperata, induced a dose-dependent increase in the body weight of Wistar rats, with higher doses producing a more significant effect. In addition, the extract exhibited minimal impact (p< 0.05) on cerebral oxidative stress markers e.g. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase GPX and Malondialdehyde (MDA). The extract also induced beneficial vasoactive changes including vasodilatation and increased blood circulation (active congestion), which decreased with increasing concentration of the sand paper leaf extract. The 200mg/kg body weight leaf extract had the most potent vasoactive effect, while the 1000mg/kg body weight extract had the least effect. However, the structural integrity of the neurons and neuroglia cells were sustained. Further studies are recommended to properly understand the mechanisms involved in its actions so as to ensure safe therapeutic use in humans.