Neuroprotective effects of the ethanol extract of moringa oleifera on alcohol-induced prefrontal cortex toxicity in adult wistar rats

Background: The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain in the frontal lobe of both cerebral hemispheres that is responsible for decision making, behavior and emotional control (Miller and Cohen, 2001). It has been noted that the prefrontal cortex undergoes functional and structural changes due to chronic alcohol consumption (Abernathy et al., 2010; Brodmann, 1909). Moringa oleifera is widely known and classified as a medicinal plant but its effects on prefrontal cortex alcohol toxicity have not been substantiated. Aim: This study aims at probing the effects of the ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (ELEMO) on the histology of the prefrontal cortex after alcohol-induced neurotoxicity. Methodology: Thirty (30) adult male wistar rats (150g-200g) were divided into 5 (A-E) (n=6). Group A was the control group and received feed and water only. Group B received 2ml of 52.5% v/v aqueous alcohol solution daily. Group C and D received simultaneous administrations of 52.5% v/v aqueous alcohol solution and then 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of the ELEMO, respectively daily. Group E received simultaneous administration of 52.5% v/v aqueous alcohol solution and then 100mg/kg of Vitamin E daily. All administrations were oral and the experiment lasted 14 days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after their last treatment via ketamin (100mg/ml) as anaesthesia. The brain was carefully harvested, washed in normal saline, fixed accordingly for 72 hours and processed for routine H & E staining. Result: The ELEMO displayed dose dependant neuroprotective potentials. Low doses had strong therapeutic activity and protected the prefrontal cortex from histopathological alterations while higher doses are suggested to be toxic and led to mild tissue damage. Conclusion: The ELEMO can be used in the management of alcohol-induced neurological disorders. However, caution should be applied while consuming this plant.