Ethanol Extract of Anacardiumoccidentale Leaves and Musa sapientum Peels Co-Treatment Enhanced Cognitive and Olfactory Functions via Antioxidant Mechanism in Cadmium-Induced Brain Damage in Female Wistar Rats

Dementia, one of today's most important public health problems, affects cognitive function, resulting in memory loss. This research investigated the impact of co-administration of ethanol extract of Anacardiumoccidentale (AO) leaves and ripe Musa sapientum (MS) peels on cognitive and olfactory functions in cadmium-induced brain insult in female Wistar rats. Thirty mature female Wistar rats weighing between 75 and 154 g were randomly divided into six groups (n=5) for this study. Group 1 received 1 mL of distilled water. Group 2 received 100 mg/kg of Cadmium (Cd). Cd (100 mg/kg), donepezil (2.5 mg/kg), AO (200 mg/kg), MS (200 mg/kg), and 200 mg/kg of AO and MS were administered to groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively. All groups received oral treatment once a day for 21 days. One hour after 21 days of treatment, the animals were assessed for cognitive and olfactory function using the radial maze and buried food tests. After the behavioural test, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on day 22, and biochemical evaluations of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme (AChE), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and histological analysis were conducted. In comparison to groups 2, 4, and 5, the neurobehavioural investigation's findings showed a significant (p<0.05) improvement in spatial and reference memory and olfactory responses, as well as elevated SOD levels and a significant (p<0.05) decrease in AChE and MDA activities after co-treatment with AO and MS. Furthermore, a section of the hippocampus showed moderate regeneration in groups co-treated with AO and MS. Conclusively, co-treatment with AO and MS exhibited a beneficial antioxidant and neuroprotective potential in mitigating Cd-induced brain insult.