Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: December | Volume: 7 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 40-45
Effect of Combination of Three Herbs (Akaki Extract) on Frontal Lobe of the Albino Wistar Rat
Elizabeth Finbarrs-Bello1, 2, Eni Ogbonnia Egwu2, Chinemerem Elizabeth Awara2,
Oluwatomilayo Patience Ojo3
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University,
Abakaliki Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Elizabeth Finbarrs-Bello
ABSTRACT
The combination of Costus afer, Sarcocephalus latifolius, and Culcasia scandensreferred to Akaki is used in the management of psychiatric disorders. We investigated the effects of Akaki on spatial memory and histology of the frontal lobe. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using standard methods. Twenty rats with average weights of 200g were used and divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each (n=5). The rats in group A served as control received 0.1ml saline while rats in groups B, C & D were treated daily with 3mg/kg, 6mg/kg and 9mg/kg of the extract for seven days. Phytochemical analysis revealed presences saponins, phenol, flavonoids, tannin and glycosides. Behavioural study was performed using the T-maze to assess spatial memory and H&E for histological changes. The extract demonstrated ability to improved spatial memory of the reward arm in the T-maze neurobehavioral test. The mean difference was significant at level (p<0.05). The histological study showed dose dependent increase in neuronal population at low doses. The high dose group which received 9 mg/kg of the akaki extract showed focal and liquefactive necrosis in few areas. Akaki extract contain active agents, improved memory and exhibited biphasic dose dependent.
Key words: Akaki, Frontal lobe, Memory, Phytochemical, Neurobehavioral, Histology.