Phyto-therapeutic Modulation of Aluminum-Induced Oxidative Damage and Neuroendocrine Alterations in the Pituitary Gland Using Prunus domestica Leaf-Extract in Adult Wistar Rats.

Abstract

Background: Aluminum exposure, particularly in the form of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), has become a growing public health concern due to its widespread environmental presence and its implication in neuroendocrine dysfunction. Evidence suggests that AlCl₃ induces toxicity primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and cellular damage (Exley, 2013; Yokel, 2013). The pituitary gland, being the central regulator of endocrine homeostasis, is especially vulnerable to oxidative injury, which may disrupt hormonal signaling pathways and systemic physiological balance (Melmed, 2011). Objective: This study was designed to investigate the potential neuroendocrine protective effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Prunus domestica against aluminum chloride-induced oxidative damage in the pituitary gland of adult male Wistar rats. Methods: A total of forty adult male Wistar rats (weighing 180–220 g) were randomly distributed into five experimental groups (n = 8). Group A served as the control and received standard feed and water. Group B was administered AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg). Groups C and D received AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg) in combination with P. domestica extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Group E received AlCl₃ along with Vitamin E (100 mg/kg), serving as a standard antioxidant control. All treatments were administered orally via gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical assessments included markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Serum levels of key pituitary hormones—luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)—were quantified. Histological evaluation of pituitary tissue was conducted alongside semi-quantitative scoring of cellular degeneration. Results: Administration of AlCl₃ resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (elevated MDA levels) and a concomitant reduction in endogenous antioxidant enzymes and circulating pituitary hormones (P < 0.05). Treatment with P. domestica extract attenuated these alterations in a dose-dependent manner, with the higher dose (400 mg/kg) demonstrating effects comparable to the control group. Histological findings showed marked degeneration in AlCl₃- treated rats, while extract-treated groups exhibited notable restoration of pituitary architecture, with degeneration scores improving from 2.8 ± 0.4 in the toxic group to 1.2 ± 0.3 in the high-dose treatment group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that ethanolic leaf extract of Prunus domestica confers significant protection against aluminum-induced pituitary toxicity, likely mediated through its antioxidant properties and regulatory effects on endocrine function.