ANTI-NECROTIC POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF ZIZIPHUS TALANAI AGAINST MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED CYTOARCHITECTURAL ALTERATIONS IN THE BRAIN OF ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Ziziphus talanai (Blanco) Merrill, locally known as the Balakat tree in the Philippines, is an endemic plant reported to have therapeutic properties due to its flavonoid content. Specifically, neuroprotective activities against oxidative stress in mice brains have been previously documented under this plant. Therefore, this study investigated the antinecrotic potential of Z. talanai against MSG-induced cytoarchitectural alterations of the mice's prefrontal cortex. Twenty (20) male albino mice were distributed into four treatment groups: T0 (DW alone at 0.3 mL/20 g b.w.); T- (MSG alone at 180 mg/20 g b.w.); T+ (L-Taurine at 0.2 mL/20 g b.w. and MSG at 180 mg/20 g b.w.); and T1 (Z. talanai at 0.3ml/20g b.w. and MSG at 180 mg/20 g b.w.). Results of the histological assessment of the prefrontal cortex reveal normal histology for T0, marked with an intact nucleus, and prominent and organized cells. Tissue architecture for T- reveals the reduction of cells and necrosis. T+ and T1 groups both maintained intact and well-stained nuclei that are comparable with T0. Interestingly, cellular proliferation has been noted for the Z. talanai group, which indicates possible neuronal differentiation. Overall, Z. talanai extract has been observed to exert antinecrotic capacities in the mouse brain.