Ameliorating Effects of Cyperus esculentus on the Cerebellum of Adult Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Both High-Fat Diet and Bisphenol A: A Comparative Histopathology Study

Abstract

Exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) and bisphenol A (BPA) has been reported to cause critical health conditions related to the cardiovascular and neuroendocrine systems. Cyperus esculentus (CE) has been used as a source of nutrients and also in traditional medicines due to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. However, the specific ameliorative effects of CE on the cerebellum under conditions of combined exposure to HFD and BPA remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate histopathologically the potential toxic effects of combined exposure of HFD and BPA on the cerebellum of adult male wistar rats, and the ameliorating effects of Cyperus esculentus. 24 adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (A-F) (n=4) as follows: Control (normal feed) – Group A; HFD only – Group B; BPA only – Group C; HFD+BPA – Group D; HFD+BPA+CE (50mg/kg) – Group E; and HFD+BPA+ CE (100mg/kg) – Group F. The HFD+BPA exposure lasted 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week treatment period with CE for Groups E and F. Cerebellar tissues were harvested, processed for histology, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic examinations. Histopathological assessments revealed significant cerebellar damage under HFD+BPA combined exposure – Group D, characterized by severe Purkinje cell degeneration, granular layer congestion, vacuolization in the molecular layer, and general disorganization of cortical layers. Administration of CE extract, particularly at the 50mg/kg dose, attenuated these alterations, showing reduced vacuolation, less severe Purkinje cell degeneration, and improved cortical architecture. Notably, the 100mg/kg CE extract showed a less pronounced ameliorative effect. Combined exposure to HFD and BPA induces a marked histopathological injury in the rat cerebellum. CE extract demonstrates a dose-dependent, partial neuroprotective effect against this injury, with a 50mg/kg dose showing the most promising outcome in this study. These findings suggest that Cyperus esculentus has therapeutic potential, with a need for further studies on the precise molecular mechanisms involved.