Current Research in Toxicology (Jan 2023)

Fenugreek seed powder protects mice against arsenic-induced neurobehavioral changes

  • Jahidul Islam,
  • Zohurul Islam,
  • Nazmul Haque,
  • Moriom Khatun,
  • Farhadul Islam,
  • Shakhawoat Hossain,
  • Md Ashraful Hoque,
  • Farjana Nikkon,
  • Khaled Hossain,
  • Zahangir Alam Saud

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5
p. 100114

Abstract

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The current study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of fenugreek seed powder against As-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical perturbations using a mouse model. Mice exposed to arsenic at 10 mg/kg body weight showed development of anxiety-like behavior and memory impairment compared to control mice in elevated plus maze and Morris water maze tests, respectively. A significantly decreased acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were found in the brain of arsenic-exposed mice compared to control mice. Interestingly, supplementation of fenugreek seed powder to arsenic-treated mice significantly restored the activity of cholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes (e.g. superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase) as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the brain tissue of arsenic-exposed mice. Consequently, reduced anxiety-like behavior, improved learning and memory were observed in fenugreek supplemented arsenic treated mice compared to only arsenic-exposed mice group. Thus, this study suggests that fenugreek seed powder reduces arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in mice.

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