Cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rat brain was attenuated by Sida acuta ethanol extract

Abstract

Neurotoxicity is associated with Cisplatin (CP) chemotherapy, and oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis. Sida acuta ethanol extract (SAEE) may prevent neurotoxicity through its known antioxidant properties. The study aimed to examine the potential protective effects of SAEE against cisplatin-induced microanatomical alterations in rat brain. Twenty-eight rats were randomized equally into four groups: control (1 mL distilled water); SAEE (200 mg/kg p.o.); CP (7 mg/kg i.p.); CP+SAEE (7 mg/kg; 200 mg/kg, respectively i.p and p.o.). All treatments lasted 14 days. On the 15th day, behavioural studies were done after which all the rats were euthanized. Histology and histomorphometry of brain tissue were carried out. CP significantly (p<0.05) reduced the frequency of locomotion, rearing, grooming and the forelimb strength of rats. Similarly, the densities of viable neurons of the cerebral cortex, dentate granule cell layer of dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis3 field of hippocampus propria and Purkinje cells (PCs) of cerebellum were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by CP. Histologically, neuronal loss and neuro-degeneration was evident in all the different parts of the brain examined, being most marked on the PCs. However, pre- and concomitant treatment of rats with SAEE with CP reduced the damaging effect of CP in all of brain tissues. SAEE demonstrated neuroprotective effects against CP-induced neuro-degeneration, behavioural alteration and reduction in densities of viable brain neurons. These effects may be attributed to the antioxidant capabilities of SAEE.