Histological Integrity of the Frontal Cortex of Rat Model Treated with Aqueous Extract of Neem Leaf and Oil

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate some of the effects of Aqueous Extract of Neem leaves and Neem Oil on the histological integrity of the Frontal Lobe of Male Adult Wistar Rats Brain. Thirty Adult Male Wistar Rats were used weighing between 190-200 g. They were randomly divided into three groups. Group A control; received 1ml of Phosphate buffered saline, Group B received 0.6 ml of neem oil and Group C received 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract of neem leaves once daily for 30 days of experimental period. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The frontal lobes was excised and fixed in 10 % formal calcium for histological processing using Haematoxylin and Eosin for histo-architectural study and Cresyl violet for Nissl body. The Neurons and Nissl substances in the experimental groups were larger and hyper chromic to H&E and CFV stains while the Nissl bodies in the neurons of the control group were normochromic to H&E and CFV stains. The nissil bodies in the experimental groups stained more than nissil bodies in the control group. Neurons of group B are larger and pyramidal in shape while neurons of group C are stellate while that of control group A are pyramidal. Increase in the size and density of the neurons as shown by the densely stained photomicrograph in the treated rat as compared with the control is an indication of increased cellular activities in the frontal cortex.

Keywords: Neem oil, aqueous extract, frontal lobe and   Wister rat.