Comparative effect of Kolaviron and Bryophyllum pinnatum extract on apoptotic biomarker in aluminium chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats

This study compared the neuroprotective potentials of kolaviron and ethanolic leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on apopotic biomarkers (ERK, TNF-α and BDNF) in AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity. Forty-two male Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) were allocated to seven groups: Normal control; AlCl₃ only (100 mg/kg AlCl₃); Kolaviron only (Kv, 200 mg/kg); Crassulaceae only (Cr, 600 mg/kg); AlCl₃ + Kv; AlCl₃ + Cr; and AlCl₃ + Kv + Cr. Treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Results shows that ERK (%) was 100.0 ± 4.3 (Control), 320.1 ± 2.1 (AlCl₃), 90.2 ± 4.5 (Kv), 95.7 ± 5.1 (Cr), 150.2 ± 10.3 (AlCl₃+Kv), 185.7 ± 9.8 (AlCl₃+Cr) and 172.4 ± 8.7 (AlCl₃+Kv+Cr). Serum TNF‑α (pg/mL) was 22.00 ± 11.43 (Control), 254.0 ± 5.41 (AlCl₃), 26.00 ± 10.68 (Kv), 22.05 ± 11.92 (Cr), 112.90 ± 2.02 (AlCl₃+Kv), 180.20 ± 48.96 (AlCl₃+Cr) and 27.35 ± 4.19 (AlCl₃+Kv+Cr). The results of BDNF (ng/mL) in control group was 2.50 ± 0.30 and 1.5 ± 0.20 in AlCl₃ group. The results showed significant (p<0.05) increased in ERK and TNF-α in AlCl₃ group with a corresponding deceased in BDNF in AlCl₃ group when compared with control. But, interventions with Kolaviron and Crassulaceae decreased ERK and TNF-α with a concurrent increased in BDNF level. Kolaviron more strongly suppressed TNF-α and ERK hyperactivation, whereas Crassulaceae more effectively restored BDNF. The combined treatment produced more amelioration, substantially lowering ERK and TNF-α and improving BDNF toward control levels, attenuating the damaging effect of AlCl₃ on the brain cells.