ABSTRACT
Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal found naturally within the Earth's crust. Lead-based paint in old residences, polluted soil, tainted air, drinking water, and pottery coated with lead include some origins of Lead exposure. Human exposure to lead as a result of availability in the environment occurs through Direct skin contact, consumption of food or water contaminated with lead, stemming from deteriorating pipes and fixtures in older infrastructures and inhalation within industrial surroundings. Negative health impacts resulting from exposure to lead include cognitive and behavioral deficiencies in children, such as hyperactivity, impaired fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, reduced reaction time, and decreased IQ. The use of plant based antioxidants to counteract the damage of lead accumulation in the brain has been reported. Flavonoids have the capacity to prevent the formation of free radicals, hence they are considered neuroprotective antioxidants. Rutin is a natural flavonoid glycoside found in various plants; It has demonstrated a number of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. Accordingly the aim of this study is to investigate the potential neuroprotective activity of Rutin against lead induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. After purchase and acclamatization, 36 Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups, control and Treatment groups. Group A was administered 1ml dH20/day. Group B was administered 100 mg/kg body weight of Pb acetate only. Group C was administered 50mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100mg/kg BW/day of lead acetate. Group D was administered 100mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100mg/kg BW of lead acetate. Group E was administered 50mg/kg BW of Rutin only. Group F was administered 100mg/kg BW of Rutin only. The oral administration,via an orogastric tube, lasted for 28 days and rats were fed with standard rat chow and had free access to water throughout the entire study period. Animals were weighed every two weeks before commencement and throughout the experiment. Following the end of the experiment, neuro behavioral activity (Open Field, String and movement initiation test) was evaluated and recorded. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the cerebelli were harvested for antioxidants (Catalase, Gluthathione ,Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase) lipid perioxidation and also the concentration of Lead in the cerebelli. Results showed a decrease in final body weight (FBW) of rats in the Pb group in contrast to the control that rats in the Pb group had reduced neurobehavioral function compared to those in the Control and Rutin groups. Assessment of antioxidant activity showed oxidative stress in the Pb groups whereas the Control and Rutin groups had higher antioxidant activity. Evaluation of Pb concentration in the cerebellum showed that the rats in the Pb group had increased lead concentration compared to those in control and Rutin groups. Histological findings revealed morphological alterations (Dissociation of purkunje cell layer from granular cell layer and loss of some purkunje cells) in the Pb group while the groups treated with Rutin showed similar xv morphology to the control group. In conclusion, Results from this study shows that Rutin was able to attenuate the toxic effect of lead acetate in the cerebellum of Wistar Rats. This is possible through its potent antioxidant properties.
