Neuroprotective Potency of Methanolic Extract of Telfaria Occidentalis Leaves on the Microanatomical Structures of Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Wistar Rats in Methamphetamine Induced Neuronal Damage (Published)
Methamphetamine is a potent psychostimulant known to induce neurotoxic changes in the central nervous system, including the cerebellum. This study investigated the microanatomical effects of the methanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaves on the cerebellar cortex following methamphetamine administration in adult Wistar rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 5). Group A served as the control and received standard feed and water only. Groups B, C, and D received oral methamphetamine at 1.3 mg for the first three days, followed by 0.8 mg for the next nine days. In addition, Groups C and D were treated with 25 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg body weight of the methanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis, respectively. Histological examination of the cerebellar cortex showed that methamphetamine administration caused marked alterations in the normal cerebellar architecture, while treatment with the plant extract resulted in dose-dependent improvement in tissue morphology. The higher extract dose produced greater restoration of the cerebellar cortical layers and cellular integrity. These findings suggest that the methanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis possesses neuroprotective and restorative properties against methamphetamine-induced cerebellar damage and may have therapeutic potential in mitigating drug-induced neurotoxicity.
Keywords: Neurotoxicity, Telfairia occidentalis, cerebellar cortex, methamphetamine, microanatomy, neuroprotection