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Advanced Neurology Tetrapleura tetraptera protects the hippocampus

such as hippocampus sclerosis, trauma, intracranial crucial to maximize its efficacy in epilepsy protection while
infections, and exposure to toxic agents, among others. minimizing potential side effects. However, it is essential
3,4
The incidence of epilepsy is reported as 50/100,000 in to assess the potential toxicity of the extract, which can be
developed countries and twice as high in developing done through a median lethal dose test to prevent adverse
countries. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are outcomes upon usage. 43
5,6
often associated with this disorder. 7,8 In experimental models, epilepsy is often induced in
Epilepsy is more common in adults and frequently rodents using chemicals, such as pentylenetetrazol (PTZ),
leads to cognitive impairment, particularly affecting the with the resulting seizure activity scored according to the
hippocampus, which is crucial for memory retention. Racine scale. 44,45 This research investigated the effects of
9,10
This memory function of the hippocampus can be studied T. tetraptera plant extract on PTZ-induced kindling and its
through spontaneous alternation behavior in a T- or Y-maze, potential neuroprotective effects on the hippocampus in a
which helps identify impairments. Cognitive impairment rat model.
11
associated with epilepsy may have deleterious effects, and
the majority of antiepileptic medications exhibit limited 2. Material and methods
efficacy in this regard. 12,13 Individuals with epilepsy also 2.1. Animal handling
face a higher risk of death than the general population. 14,15
Histological changes in the hippocampus are involved in Forty-nine male Wistar rats, 9 – 10 weeks old and
epilepsy, with extensive pyramidal cell loss in the cornu weighing 150 – 200 g, were utilized in this study. The rats
ammonis 1 and 3 (CA1 and 3) regions. Evaluation of were obtained and housed in the animal facility of the
9,10
hippocampal changes in epilepsy can include histological Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at the university. Each
analysis of Nissl substance and the regulation of neuronal rat was cared for and handled following the guidelines
and astrocytic markers, such as neuron-specific enolase for the use of laboratory animals set forth by the
46
(NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), among United States National Institute of Health. This research
other immunohistochemical or biochemical methods. 16-18 was approved by The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
Research and Ethical Committee (approval reference:
Most antiepileptic drugs act by blocking sodium UU_FBMSREC_2022_001).
or calcium channels, reducing the release of excitatory
glutamate and increasing inhibitory GABA levels. 19,20 The rats were maintained throughout the experiment
However, GABA can also have pro-convulsive effects, either at a room temperature of 25 – 28°C with a 12:12 h natural
directly or indirectly. Epilepsy treatment is often long-term, light/dark cycle. They were given ad libitum access to a
19
sometimes extending throughout a patient’s life. Aside from standard pelletized rat diet (Grand Cereals, Nigeria) and
this limitation, the use of these drugs is also associated with drinking water. The rats were divided into seven groups
various adverse reactions. 21,22 Valproic acid, a carboxylic acid (n=7), designated as control and test groups.
antiepileptic drug, or its sodium salt, sodium valproate, has 2.2. Preparation of T. tetraptera extract
a long history of efficacy in seizure management, 23-25 and
serves as a standard antiepileptic drug control in this study. Fresh, mature fruits of the T. tetraptera Taub., commonly
known as Uyayak by the Ibibio ethnic group of Nigeria,
Plants have been reported to offer medicinal and were obtained from a local market in Calabar, Nigeria.
nutritive constituents. One such plant, Tetrapleura A taxonomist identified the fruit, which was assigned
tetraptera Taub., belonging to the Fabaceae family, is specimen number UUPH/A32(f) and deposited at the
26
used in the management of various diseases and ailments Pharmacognosy Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy,
in Nigeria and other African countries. 27-31 In addition, University of Uyo, Nigeria. The fruits were chopped into
some local ethnic groups have reported using the plant for pieces after the seeds were removed. The fruits were first
epilepsy management. 27,32 washed and air-dried before being pulverized into a smooth
T. tetraptera is known for several medicinal properties, paste. A total of 1,342 g of the paste was macerated with
including antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, 80% ethanol for 72 h, filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter
antioxidant, hypoglycemic, central nervous system paper. The resulting filtrate was concentrated at 45°C in a
depressant, hypothermic, and antiepileptic effects in water bath and subsequently stored at 4°C until further use.
experimental animals. 31,33-42 The plant also exhibits
anticonvulsant, analgesic, and hypothermic properties. 27,28 2.3. Preparation of PTZ and sodium valproate
These properties make T. tetraptera a prospective treatment solutions
option for epilepsy and its associated neuronal deficits. All drugs were prepared daily. PTZ (Sigma-Aldrich,
Establishing the optimal dosage of T. tetraptera extract is Germany) was dissolved in distilled water, and 40 mg/kg

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 81 doi: 10.36922/an.6862