Neuroprotective Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Lithium-Pilocarpine-Induced Prefrontal Cortex Alterations in a Wistar Rat Model of Seizure Disorder

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP) against Lithium Pilocarpine-induced prefrontal cortex (PFC) alterations in a Wistar rat model of seizure disorder. Forty male Wistar rats (120-150g each) were divided into five groups (n=8). Group A (control) received distilled water, while Group B (LiCl-P only) were administered LiCl-P only intraperitoneally {lithium chloride (127 mg/mL) first, followed by pilocarpine (30 mg/mL) after 24 hours}. Group C received LiCl-P with BP (250mg/kg bw), Group D received LiCl-P with BP (500mg/kg.bw) and Group E received LiCl-P with Sodium valproate (200mg/kg bw). Weekly weight changes were recorded. At the end of the experiment, animals underwent neurobehavioral assessments (open field and Y-maze) and were then euthanised; and the prefrontal cortex tissues were either homogenised for biochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities, or processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Results showed that exposure to LiCl-P significantly decreases rearing, freezing and centre squares entry frequencies. Results also showed significant increase in glutamate, acetylcholine, MDA, TNF-α; and decrease in GABA and catalase. Histological analysis showed neuronal loss in the LiCl-P groups; andfor the BP treated groups, ameliorating effects were observed at high doses. Bryophyllum pinnatum treatment protects against LiCl-P induced seizures through reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal damage; highlighting its potentials as a neuroprotective agent.