Saleh et al. J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2024) 3:2
Keywords: Cerebral Cortex, Moringa Oleifera, Neuronal loss, Mercury
2025-05-10 DOI: JOBASFUD_2024_3_2_005
Background: Mercuric chloride toxicity poses a significant global health challenge due to its severe adverse effects on various body tissues. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats exposed to mercuric chloride. Methods: Twenty-five adult Wistar rats (n=25) were randomly divided into five groups (n=5 per group). Group A (control) received distilled water. Group B received mercuric chloride (0.5 mg/kg). Group C received Moringa extract only. Group D received concurrent mercuric chloride (0.5 mg/kg) and Moringa extract (500 mg/kg). Group E received concurrent mercuric chloride (0.5 mg/kg) and Moringa extract (750 mg/kg). All treatments were administered orally for 21 days. The cerebral cortex was harvested, and histological analysis was done using H&E staining. Results: The mercuric chloride-treated group (Group B) exhibited significant neuronal loss, characterized by numerous vacuolations in the cerebral cortex photomicrographs. Concurrent administration of Moringa leaf extract (Groups D and E) minimized the number of vacuolations in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera leaf extract demonstrated an ameliorative effect against mercuric chloride-induced toxicity in the cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats.