Diospyros mespilifoemis hochst Modulates the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex of Wistar Rat following Lithium chloride pilocarpine-induced Epilepsy

Objectives: Epilepsy is a disease with vast complexity and diverse clinical manifestations causing neuronal misfiring. Diospyros mespiliformis (DM) possesses anti-epileptic properties. Methods: Fifty rats were used for this study. Group A received normal saline while groups B, C, D, and E received lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p.) + pilocarpine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce seizure. Following induction, C, D, and E received 50 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg DM and 10 mg/kg sodium valproate respectively (p.o) while B was left untreated. Rats were assessed for Open field and radial arm maze tests. Levels of SOD, MDA, catalase glutamate, GABA, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were assayed using appropriate protocols. Histological and immunohistochemistry tests were done. Results: DM reduced glutamate levels in C, D and E when compared with A and B while there were no significant changes in the levels of GABA across groups. DM significantly reduced IL-6 in C, D and E but not in A and B while there were no significant changes in TNF alpha across groups. DM boosted catalase release than superoxide dismutase to the after-status epilepticus. In the open field test, DM reversed the altered activities in the epileptic rats. DM ameliorates neuronal vacuolation, disorientation and increased reactive gliosis. There was positive NeuN reactivity across groups except in D. Conclusion: We concluded that DM (probably 1,2,3-Benzenetriol content) can be employed in managing epilepsy as evident in the mitigation of histoarchitecture and the maintenance of the levels of the neurotransmitters.