ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE NICOTINE-INDUCED PREFRONTAL CORTEX TOXICITY IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract: Background: Nicotine induces oxidative stress and alters brain functions, causing addiction and impeding brain development in children and young people. Psidium guajava (Guava) displays strong medicinal value and it is consumed for food and pharmacologic activities. Aim: This study aimed at investigating the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Psidium guajava (Guava) aqueous leaf extract on the nicotine-induced prefrontal cortex toxicity in adult male wistar rats. Methodology: Thirty (30) adult male wistar rats (150-200g) were divided into six (6) groups (n=5). Group A (control group) received only food and water ad libitum. Group B (Untreated) was injected subcutaneously with 0.1ml of 1% nicotine every 48 hours till the end of the experiment. Group C, D, E and F received same but were treated daily with 200, 400, 600mg/kg of PGALE and 100mg/kg of Vitamin E respectively. The experiment lasted 28 days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after last treatment under ketamine (100mg/ml) as anesthesia. Neatly harvested brains were used for the biochemical estimation of tissue oxidative stress markers via homogenation and also for histological studies stained with H&E. Results: Nicotine treatment led to a significant decrease in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and degenerative injuries in the microstructure of the prefrontal cortex evident by well-developed vacuolated cytoplasm and shrinkage of neurons. High doses of PGALE and Vitamin E led to a significant improvement in the antioxidant activity and preserved the normal histoarchitecture of the brain prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: Treatment with Psidium Guajava demonstrated strong dose-dependent antioxidant and neuroprotective potentials. This study justifies its use in traditional medicine. Keywords: Psidium Guajava, Oxidative stress, Prefrontal cortex, Nicotine. Title: ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE NICOTINE-INDUCED PREFRONTAL CORTEX TOXICITY IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS Author: Christian Chiemeka Ozor, Christian Chizuakupue, Anthony Ifeanyi Egwuatu International Journal of Recent Research in Physics and Chemical Sciences (IJRRPCS) ISSN 2350-1030 Vol. 12, Issue 2, October 2025 - March 2026 Page No: 1-6 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 31-December-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18110223 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/ANTIOXIDANT%20ACTIVITIES%20AND%20NEUROPROTECTIVE-31122025-8.pdf