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ABSTRACT
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a well-known spice with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Mercury chloride is a known neurotoxin that has been reported to induce a range of neurobehavioral alterations in exposed organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of clove buds on neurobehavioral activities in adult wistar rats subjected to mercury chlorideinduced toxicity. Thirty-six wistar rats were divided into six groups: Group A served as control and received 1 ml distilled water; Group B received 4 mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride; Group C and D received 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of clove buds then one hour later 4mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride respectively; Group E and F received 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of cloves buds respectively. All administration via orogastric tube lasted for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, neurobehavioral tests (Open field tests, Elevated plus maze tests , Tail suspension tests, String tests, Step tests, Movement initiation tests, Novel object recognition test and the Y-maze test) were conducted. Open field test, step test and string tests were used to assess locomotor, motor coordination and exploratory activity. Tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test and movement initiation test was used to assess anxiety and depressed-like behavior. Y-maze test and novel object recognition test was used to access spatial learning and memory. This study revealed that mercury chloride exposure led to significant impairments in locomotor activity, increased anxiety-like behavior, and deficits in spatial learning and memory. However, pre-administration of clove buds extract mitigated these effects in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract of clove possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties against mercury chloride-induced toxicity by restoring neurotransmitter balance in the brain.
