Amelioration of Lead-Induced Neurotoxicity by Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract in Wister Rats
Authors
- Bawa Y. Muhammad Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
-
Sulaiman A. Barau
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
- Moses Z. Zaruwa Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos 930105, Nigeria
- Yahaya Abubakar Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos 930105, Nigeria
- Mustapha Salihu Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2023.11.18Keywords:
Lead toxicity, molecular docking, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, pumpkin fruitAbstract
Background and Objective: Lead toxicity is one of the most significant heavy metal toxicities ravaging biotic life especially human and animals. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative potential of Cucurbita pepo fruit against lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were orally administered lead acetate (100 mg kg–1 body weight) with or without the fruit extract (200 mg kg–1 body weight) or resveratrol (3.57mg kg–1 body weight) co-administration for 2 weeks. The activity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) was significantly increased among lead acetate-induced animals but decreased significantly in animals administered with pumpkin extract and resveratrol. Similarly, a decreased in glutathione level (GSH) and increased level of hippocampal nitric oxide (NO) was observed in group 2. This was reversed in groups 3 and 4 administered pumpkin fruit extract and resveratrol respectively. Results: Molecular docking studies revealed mild inhibition of AchE and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) by 2 compounds of the fruit and resveratrol through weak interaction. Para aminobenzoic and γ-aminobutyric acid have the highest binding affinity to AchE with docking score of -7.1 and -4.1 kcal mol–1, respectively, while γ-aminobutyric acid exhibit higher binding affinity to nNOS than para aminobenzoic acid with docking scores of -3.5 and -2.8 kcal mol–1, respectively. The levels of liver biomarkers increased significantly in group 2 but decreased in group 1, 3 and 4. Similarly, significant increase in urea, creatinine and Na+ with a concomitant reduction in potassium and bicarbonate ions in group 2 compared to other groups were observed. Conclusion: The study revealed that administration of C. pepo fruit extracts has the potential to ameliorate lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity and better liver and kidneys functions.
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