Comparative Neuroprotective Effects of Newbouldia Laevis Leaf Extract and Tocopherol on Aluminium Chloride–Induced Cerebellar Cortical Damage in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) induces neurotoxicity primarily through oxidative stress, leading to cerebellar damage and motor dysfunction. This study evaluated the comparative neuroprotective effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis (NLE) and tocopherol against AlCl₃-induced cerebellar cortical damage in Wistar rats. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=8): control, AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg/day, oral, 28 days), AlCl₃ + NLE (200 mg/kg), AlCl₃ + NLE (400 mg/kg), AlCl₃ + tocopherol (100 mg/kg), and AlCl₃ + NLE (200 mg/kg) + tocopherol (100 mg/kg). Behavioral assessments (open field and rotarod tests), biochemical analyses (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH), histological examination (H&E staining) and immunohistochemistry (GFAP and caspase-3) were performed. AlCl₃ significantly increased oxidative stress markers, impaired motor coordination, induced Purkinje cell loss, astrogliosis, and apoptosis. NLE and tocopherol treatments attenuated these effects, with dose-dependent improvements observed for NLE and synergistic benefits in the combination group. These findings suggest that N. laevis leaf extract offers comparable or superior neuroprotection to tocopherol, potentially through multifaceted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Abbreviations: AlCl₃, aluminium chloride; CAT, catalase; GSH, reduced glutathione; MDA, malondialdehyde; NLE, Newbouldia laevis ethanolic leaf extract; SOD, superoxide dismutase. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective properties of Newbouldia laevis and Tocopherol in AlCl₃-Induced Cerebellar Damage