NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF THE AQUEOUS ROOT EXTRACTS OF CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC) ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS IN RAT MODELS OF LEAD ACETAT-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY

Abstract: Background: Lead is a neurotoxic substance and its exposure has been recorded to impair memory and learning. The hippocampus of the brain is vital to learning and memory consolidation. Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a medicinal plant with bioactive compounds, utilized in traditional medicine especially for neurological disorders. Aim: This study aims at discovering the neuroprotective effects of the aqueous root extracts of C.longa (ARECL) on the histology of the hippocampus after lead-acetate induced neurotoxicity. Methodology: 30 non-pregnant adult female wistar rats (150-200g) were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group A (control) received ad libitum. Group B (Untreated) received 30mg/kg of lead acetate daily. Group C-F all received 30mg/kg of lead acetate daily for 12 days and then received simultaneous administration of 30mg/kg of lead acetate and 100, 300, 500mg/kg of the ARECL and 100mg/kg of Vitamin E respectively daily for another 12 days. All administrations were oral and the experiment lasted 24 days. The animals were sacrificed under ketamine as anesthesia, 24 hours after their last treatment. The brain was carefully harvested and the hippocampus isolated, fixed accordingly and processed for routine H&E staining. Results: Untreated group displayed degenerative injuries such as widespread degeneration of the neurons and cytoplasmic vacuolations observed in all distinct layers of the hippocampus relative to the control. Treatment with ARECL demonstrated high levels of neuroprotection as they maintained the normal histo-architecture of the hippocampus. Conclusion: This study provided evidence that C. longa exhibits a strong dose-dependent neuroprotective capacity on the histology of the hippocampus after neuro-intoxication with Lead Acetate. Keywords: Curcuma longa, neuro-protection, neuro-intoxication, Lead Acetate. Title: NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF THE AQUEOUS ROOT EXTRACTS OF CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC) ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS IN RAT MODELS OF LEAD ACETAT-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY Author: Christian Chiemeka Ozor, Amarachi Favour Ogbodo, Ifeanacho Ezeteonu Abireh International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies ISSN 2394-9716 Vol. 12, Issue 6, November 2025 - December 2025 Page No: 51-55 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 31-December-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18110379 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/NEUROPROTECTIVE%20EFFECTS%20OF%20THE%20AQUEOUS-31122025-9.pdf