Investigation of the neuro-protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia on haloperidol and MPTP induced Parkinson’s disease in mice
Author(s): Ebu Iyotor C, Onuelu JE, Akhator JA, Imolede IO, Bamitale PE, Ayovunefe AO, Nwabuoku SU, Demaki EW, Egwunyenga MO, Ovowoh T, Adeolupo MT, Deborah J and Newton JY
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefit of Alchornea cordifolia (AC) leaf extract on haloperidol induced catalepsy and MPTP induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in mice. The experimental design was categorized into two (2) phase: Phase 1: Induction of catalepsy using haloperidol: sixty (60) male mice were divided into six groups (n=10). Haloperidol 5mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally one hour after oral administration of A. cordifolia for 28days. The treatment scheduled were as follows: group 1: Normal saline 10mL/kg, group 2: Haloperidol 5mg/kg+ Normal saline 10mL/kg, group 3: Haloperidol 5mg/kg + Levodopa 30mg/kg, group 4: Haloperidol 5mg/kg + A. cordifolia extract 50mg/kg, group 5: Haloperidol 5mg/kg + A. cordifolia extract 100mg/kg, group 6: Haloperidol 5mg/kg + A. cordifolia extract 200mg/kg. Phase 2: Induction of Parkinson disease (PD) using MPTP. Thirty (30) male mice were divided into (3) groups (n=10). MPTP 80mg/kg was administered two hourly intraperitoneally for a day and the A. cordifolia extract was given orally for four (4) days. The treatment schedule was as follows: group 1: Normal saline 10mL/kg, group 2: MPTP 80mg/kg + Normal saline 10mL/kg, group 3: MPTP 80mg/kg + A. cordifolia extract 200mg/kg: Behavioral test were carried out weekly Ihour after treatment. Mice were euthanized on day 28 and discrete brain regions were assayed for oxidative stress parameters, histological examinations and immunochemical analysis. Findings from this study revealed that haloperidol cause a reduction in latency to fall with an increase in catalepsy time, however pretreatment with A. cordifolia attenuate this effect. The study also revealed that Haloperidol cause a reduction in spontaneous alternation, however pretreatment with AC failed to attenuate this effect. Result from this study revealed that MPTP showed an increase in immobility time, decrease in mean speed time and distance covered, less spontaneous alternation with a reduction in number of entry, which was attenuated with pretreatment of AC. MPTP decrease glutathione (GSH) level in the striatum, prefrontal cortex and mid brain with a corresponding increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level in the discrete brain region which were attenuated by AC. Additionally, MPTP caused a significant increase in Iba-I, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and SNCA expression which were ameliorated with pretreatment of AC. Furthermore haloperidol induced degeneration of the nuclei material of the neurons which was reversed by AC. Conclusively AC possesses neuroprotective effect and could be a novel approach needed in PD management.
DOI: 10.33545/27074447.2025.v7.i2a.104Pages: 24-36 | Views: 379 | Downloads: 129Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Ebu Iyotor C, Onuelu JE, Akhator JA, Imolede IO, Bamitale PE, Ayovunefe AO, Nwabuoku SU, Demaki EW, Egwunyenga MO, Ovowoh T, Adeolupo MT, Deborah J, Newton JY.
Investigation of the neuro-protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia on haloperidol and MPTP induced Parkinson’s disease in mice. Int J Forensic Med 2025;7(2):24-36. DOI:
10.33545/27074447.2025.v7.i2a.104
