Anti-oxidative Potential of Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis in Cadmium-induced Neurotoxicity on the Cerebellum of Adult Wistar Rats

The cerebellum connects the brain’s sensory areas to its motor areas and is required to coordinate fine movements. However, it is vulnerable to neurotoxic agents and poisoning. This study aimed to determine the role of rosemary essential oil in cadmium-induced toxicity in the cerebellum of adult Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats weighing between 120 and 160 g were separated into five (5) groups, consisting of five (5) rats in each group. Group A (Control), Group B (6 mg/kg of Cadmium chloride), Group C (6 mg/kg of CdCl2 + 200 mg/kg of Essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (EORO), Group D (6 mg/kg of CdCl2 + 300 mg/kg of EORO), and Group E (6 mg/kg of CdCl2 + 400 mg/kg of EORO). Neuro-behavioural assessment studies (open field test), brain’s histological studies, and biochemical assessment of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were carried out. Using one-way ANOVA and paired student’s t-test, both the statistical differences in the group’s mean and its comparison were analysed with the generated result reported as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Cadmium chloride caused locomotive impairment. These were demonstrated by distorted pia matter, molecular layer, and granular layer and haemorrhage around the neuronal cells. Neuro-behavioural analysis showed line crossing (LC) and freezing duration (FD) as (46.50±1.50, 17.50±2.50), (24.00±12.42, 181.00±56.07), (43.00±3.00, 72.50±2.50), (34.67±6.36, 66.67±8.82), and (34.67±8.82, 79.00±14.64) for groups A, B, C, D and E respectively. However, concurrent administration of rosemary essential oil ameliorates the neurotoxic effects induced by cadmium.