<i>In-vivo</i> and <i>In-silico</i> Activity of Niacinamide in the Cerebellum of Rats Following Nickel Chloride Treatment

Nickel is a heavy metal with known neurotoxic effects, including damage to the cerebellum, a crucial brain region for motor coordination and balance. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, exhibits neuroprotective properties in various neurological conditions. This study investigated the potential protective effects of niacinamide in the cerebellum of Wistar rats exposed to Nickel chloride (NiCl2). Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=8) and treated as follows: Group I – 1 mL distilled water (Control); Group II – 5 mg/kg NiCl2; Group III – 50 mg/kg Niacinamide + 5 mg/kg NiCl2; Group IV - 100 mg/kg Niacinamide + 5 mg/kg NiCl2; Group V - 50 mg/kg Niacinamide; Group VI - 100 mg/kg Niacinamide. Motor coordination and balance were assessed using neurobehavioral tests. Biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate oxidative stress markers, and histopathological examinations were conducted to assess microstructural alterations in the cerebellum of experimental rats. Also, in-silico assessments were utilized to evaluate the interaction of niacinamide withinterleukin-6. Results demonstrated that NiCl2 exposure significantly impaired motor function, increased oxidative stress, and induced microstructural alterations in the cerebellum. Pre-treatment with niacinamide significantly attenuated these deleterious effects, thus indicating neuroprotective effects. Also, niacinamide had a strong binding reaction with interleukin-6, suggesting anti-inflammatoryactivity. Altogether, this study indicates that niacinamide may be a potential therapeutic strategy for mitigating NiCl2-induced neurotoxicity