TITLE:
Histological Patterns of Neurodegeneration of Frontal Cortex Neurons in Datura stramonium Treated Wistar Rats
AUTHORS:
Peter Etim Ekanem, Regina Ekanem, Kidanemariam Gaim
KEYWORDS:
Pattern, Neurodegeneration, Datura stramonium, Frontal Cortex Neurons, Histological, Wistar Rats
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science,
Vol.6 No.2,
February
6,
2016
ABSTRACT: Aim: Datura stramonium (DS) is a known hallucinogen
and depressant of the central nervous system, but it is commonly used in alcoholic beverages to increase intoxication.
Pharmacological, physiological and ultra-structural studies have demonstrated the
neurotoxicity of this drug inanimals and humans at high doses. The present study investigated the histological patterns of neurodegeneration of frontal
cortex (FC) neurons in Wistar rats treated with high doses of DS seed extract. Materials and methods: Ethanolic extract of DS dried seeds was diluted in
normal saline and administered to male and female Wistar rats weighing 200 g - 250
g. The animals were first placed in three groups which were further sub-divided into four sub-groups. The
treated sub-groups received intraperitoneal
administration (i.p.) of 750 mg/kg of diluted DS seed extract once daily in
group 1, twice daily (1500 mg/kg/day) in group 2 and thrice daily (2250 mg/kg/day) in group 3. The treatment was carried out for 4 weeks while the control groups received normal saline during the same period. The rats were
euthanized and sections of the frontal cortices of the brain were histologically processed from all groups. Silver impregnation stain for degenerating axons and neurons was
used to elucidate the pattern of degeneration induced by DS seed extract on the
neurons of the FC. Results: The results of intraperitoneal administration of DS
extract showed no changes in groups 1 & 2 treated rats while group 3 showed a significant pattern of histological
changes like axonal atrophy, vacuolization and neuronal deaths in the frontal cortices neurons
compared to the controls. Conclusion: DS may have a specific pattern of neurodegeneration at
higher doses of administration. This could provide a useful model in understanding
how DS intoxication can affect frontal cortex neurons with an implication of neurological disorders, mental diseases and
behavioural deficits.