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ABSTRACT
Syzygium aromaticum, an herbal spice popularly utilized in African and Asian cuisines has been known to possess some health benefits and agricultural uses. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of the bud extract of syzygium aromaticum on the cerebrum of adult male wistar rats. Twenty adult Wistar rats weighing 180g and above were assigned into four (4) groups, A, B, C and D, with each group containing five (5) rats. Group A (control) received 1ml distilled water daily, group B received 250 mg/kg body weight of the extract, group C received 500mg/kg body weight of the extract, and group D received 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract. All administration was done using an orogastric tube for a period of two weeks. The body weight of the rats were also recorded daily. At the end of the experimental period, neurobehavioural studies (open field tests) was carried out to assess the cognitive functions, after which the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the brain weight was recorded. The histoarchitecture of the cerebrum was assessed using Hematoxylin & Eosin staining techniques. Data was analyzed using SPSS/IBM statistical package version 20 and ANOVA was employed as the statistical method. The extract caused no significant difference in immobility of the animals in group B (P > 0.05) and C (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in Group D (P < 0.05). The extract also caused no significant difference in the rearing of animals in Groups B (P > 0.05), C (P > 0.05) and D (P > 0.05) respectively. For ambulation of animals, the extract caused no significant difference in treated groups B (P > 0.05) and C (P > 0.05) but there was a significant increase in Group D (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the extract did not cause any significant difference in the grooming of animals in groups C (P > 0.05) and D (P > 0.05) but shows a significant increase in group B (P < 0.05). The extract caused no significant difference in the body weight of rats among treated groups; B (P > 0.05) and C (p > 0.05), however, there was a significant decrease in Group D (P < 0.05). The extract caused no significant difference in the relative organ weight of rats among treated groups; B (P > 0.05), C (P > 0.05) and D (P > 0.05) respectively. For the histological findings, there was an active congestion of blood vessels and capillaries in histomorphology of rats treated in all groups. There was also an increase in the size of neuron cell bodies in all groups. Findings from this study indicated that syzygium aromaticum had no adverse effects on the brain of adult male wistar rats but instead, increases the brain activity.
