AMELIORATIVE POTENTIALS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS IN RAT MODELS OF NICOTINE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY

Abstract: Background: Nicotine consumption has been linked to many diseases and the negative effects especially on the brain as concerned to memory and emotion. Psidium guajava (Guava) is a medicinal plant with a long history of use for its pharmacologic properties. Aim: This study aims at investigating the ameliorative effects of Psidium guajava aqueous leaf extract (PGALE) on the histology of the hippocampus in nicotine-induced neurotoxicity in 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 fixed for histological studies stained with H&E. Results: Nicotine injections caused severe neurodegenerative injuries on the histology of the hippocampus characterized by marked degeneration of neurons, cytoplasmic vacuolations, decreased cellular population and pyknosis of pyramidal cells in untreated group. Treatment with the PGALE and Vitamin E ameliorated these effects as they demonstrated only mild to moderate degenerative injuries relative to the untreated groups. Conclusion: Psidium Guajava demonstrated a strong dose-dependent ameliorative potential. Keywords: Psidium Guajava, Neurotoxicity, Hippocampus, Nicotine. Title: AMELIORATIVE POTENTIALS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS IN RAT MODELS OF NICOTINE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY Author: Christian Chiemeka Ozor, Chiamaka Victoria Belonw, Christian Ejuiwa Mba International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing ISSN 2394-7330 Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025 Page No: 112-116 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 31-December-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18110538 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/AMELIORATIVE%20POTENTIALS%20OF%20PSIDIUM%20GUAJAVA-31122025-11.pdf