Saponins, Tannins and Alkaloids Fractions of Bridelia micrantha: Effects on the Prefrontal Cortex of Ketamine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Wistar Rats
Eru Mba Eru
*
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Theresa Ekpenyong Isamoh
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Cyril Abang Agbor
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Williams Afamuefuna Nnenna
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Michael Effiong Oku
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Onne Eru Mba
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Eric Agim Agaba
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Gabriel Udo Udo-Affah
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Adinya Blessing Umari
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Anozeng Oyono Igiri
Department of Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction represents a continuum of cognitive decline with mild cognitive impairment making the intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia. Mild cognitive impairment may progress to dementia resulting in a substantial loss of cognitive abilities and the capacity for independent living; hence, individual with mild cognitive impairment are at high risk of progressing to dementia with conversion rate as high as 15%. In this study, we investigated the effect of saponin, Tannins and alkaloids rich Bridelia micrantha on the cytoarchitecture of the prefrontal cortex of ketamine-induced cognitive Wistar rats. Thirty-six adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups designated A, B, C, D, E and F each containing six rats. Group A received animal feed and water ad libitum while group B served as the positive control. Bridelia micrantha leaves were fractionated into saponin, tannins and alkaloids and were administered to Groups C, D and E respectively while group F received Diazepam for two weeks. The results revealed hypertrophied and hypoplasic cells in groups B and C; group E revealed atrophied and hypoplasic cells while group F revealed cellular hypoplasia. Group D revealed normal cytoarchitecture with cellular hyperplasia compared to the control group and the treated groups. In conclusion, the tannins group D only arrested cellular alteration in the prefrontal cortex of ketamine induced-cognitive dysfunction Wistar rats caused by chronic administration of ketamine and restores cellular injury and its proliferations.
Keywords: Alkaloids, cognitive dysfunction, ketamine, prefrontal cortex, saponin, tannins