Histopathological effects of zingerone against lead acetate induced-brain dysfunction in rats

Abstract

Compared with other organs, the nervous system is the most susceptible and a top target for lead-induced poisoning. At higher dosages, lead poisoning can be fatal or severely brain-damaging. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of zingerone on rats induced-brain oxidative stress by lead acetate on some pathological alteration. Using a random selection process, 40 male mature rats were allocated into four identical groups for the experiment and given the following care for 28 days: The control group (G1) was given distilled water, G2: gavage 16 mg/kg. B.W. of lead acetate, G3: 125 mg/kg. B.W. of zingerone and 16 mg/kg. B.W. of lead acetate, G4: 125 mg/kg. B.W. of zingerone. After collecting tissue from the brain samples, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were separated for histological analysis. The result showed normal cerebral cortex and hippocampus histological architecture in the control group. The histology architecture of brain tissues in the lead acetate-treated group (G2) showed degeneration of neuronal cells, disruption of the cellular layers and atrophy, nuclear pyknosis, and neuronal injury. The G3 and G4 treated groups showed repair in the histological changes of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus due to zingerone's antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Conclusion: Zingerone has antioxidant activity and neuroprotective properties by improving brain histological changes in rats

Keywords

• cerebral cortex
• hippocampus
• zingerone
• lead acetate