Saponins, Tannins and Alkaloids Fractions of Bridelia micrantha: Effects on the Prefrontal Cortex of Ketamine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction represents a continuum of cognitive decline with mild cognitive impairment making the intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia. Mild cognitive impairment may progress to dementia resulting in a substantial loss of cognitive abilities and the capacity for independent living; hence, individual with mild cognitive impairment are at high risk of progressing to dementia with conversion rate as high as 15%. In this study, we investigated the effect of saponin, Tannins and alkaloids rich Bridelia micrantha on the cytoarchitecture of the prefrontal cortex of ketamine-induced cognitive Wistar rats. Thirty-six adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups designated A, B, C, D, E and F each containing six rats. Group A received animal feed and water ad libitum while group B served as the positive control. Bridelia micrantha leaves were fractionated into saponin, tannins and alkaloids and were administered to Groups C, D and E respectively while group F received Diazepam for two weeks. The results revealed hypertrophied and hypoplasic cells in groups B and C; group E revealed atrophied and hypoplasic cells while group F revealed cellular hypoplasia. Group D revealed normal cytoarchitecture with cellular hyperplasia compared to the control group and the treated groups. In conclusion, the tannins group D only arrested cellular alteration in the prefrontal cortex of ketamine induced-cognitive dysfunction Wistar rats caused by chronic administration of ketamine and restores cellular injury and its proliferations.