Effects of aqueous fruit extracts of Adansonia digitata on lead acetate-induced hippocampal toxicity on adult Rattus Norvegicus

Abstract

Background and aim: Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is a super fruit acclaimed for its high antioxidant content and associated medicinal benefits. Oxidative stress, a key contributor to various brain disorders—including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases—underscores the need for effective neuroprotective agents. This study aimed to assess the ameliorative effects of an aqueous baobab fruit extract against lead-induced hippocampal structural and functional toxicity.

Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5 per group). Group 1 (control) received distilled water. Group 2 was treated with lead at 233 mg/kg body weight (bwt). Group 3 received 500 mg/kg bwt of baobab extract, while Group 4 received both lead (233 mg/kg bwt) and baobab extract (500 mg/kg bwt) orally for 28 days. Following the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed via partial decapitation. Blood was collected by ventricular puncture for biochemical analyses—specifically, the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), and key antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], and catalase [CAT]). Brain tissues were harvested for histological examination of the hippocampus.

Results: Lead-treated rats exhibited a significant increase in serum MDA levels (2.00 U/L) compared to the baobab-treated group (1.60 U/L). Furthermore, the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) were significantly higher in both the baobab-only and combination treatment groups than in the lead-only group. Histologically, the lead-treated group showed marked distortion of the hippocampal cellular architecture, a change that was not observed in groups receiving baobab extract.

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of baobab fruit effectively mitigates lead-induced oxidative stress and preserves hippocampal structure, supporting its potential as a neuroprotective agent.