Yusuf Salami, Osaretin AT. Ebuehi*, Ngozi OA. Imaga, Crystal NA. Mojekwu and Blessing N.Nwokporo
The relative frequency of occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases has risen dramatically with greater than ten million people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases annually. This present study was designed to determine the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of P. americana extracts upon 3-NP induced oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Adult male Wistar rats were administered with 3-NP (10 mg/kg b.w. i.p.) and co-treated with P. americana peel and seed extracts both at two doses (300 and 600 mg/kg b.w. p.o) for 14 days. The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids tannin, terpenoids, and reducing sugar in the extracts of fruit parts. The flavonoid content (207.18 ± 10.45 - 447.36 ± 5.52 mg/100 mg) and phenolic content (17.45 ± 2.83 - 53.24 ± 3.42 mg/100 mg) correlated with the antioxidant activities of the fruits. Daily administration of P. americana peel and seed reversed the effects of 3-NP induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the rats. Therefore, the findings from this study suggest that the neuroprotective effects P. americana peel and seed extracts against 3-NPinduced neurotoxicity might be attributed to their antioxidant potential.
Share this article