Histological and biochemical studies of Tamarindus indica pulp extract on the cerebral cortex in prenatal ethanol exposure in Wistar rats

Introduction: Ethanol consumption during pregnancy has been shown to jeopardize the health of the mother and the embryo. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histological and biochemical changes associated with the administration of Tamarindus indica pulp extract (TIPE) on the cerebral cortex in prenatal ethanol exposed Wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty four (24) pregnant rats were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 received 1ml of distilled water, Group 2 received 200mg/kg of body weight (bw) of TIPE only, Group 3 received 300mg/kg bw of Vitamin E only, Group 4 received 0.1ml of olive oil only, Group 5 received 2ml (30%v/v) of ethanol only, Group 6 received 2ml (30% v/v) of ethanol and 200mg/kg bw of TIPE while Group 7 received 2ml (30% v/v) of ethanol and 300mg/kg bw of Vitamin E. All administrations were via gastric intubation and lasted from prenatal day (PD) 7 to 14. The dams were allowed to litter and the brain tissues of the pups were collected for biochemical and histological studies. Results: The result of oxidative stress studies showed significant decrease in the mean levels of catalase and glutathione concentration in Groups 5, 6 and 7 respectively when compared with the Control (P < 0.05), while the mean concentration of malondialdehyde showed significant increase in Group 5 when compared to the Control (P < 0.05) and there was no significant difference in the mean level of superoxide dismutase in all the Groups. The result of sialic acid assay showed significant decrease in the mean level of free, bound and total sialic acid contents in Group 5 when compared to the Control (P < 0.001). The histological studies of the cerebral cortex showed normal architecture in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, while Group 5 showed degenerative changes with light staining of Nissl substances when compared to the Control and Groups 6 and 7 showed mild degenerative changes when compared to the Control. Conclusion: Treatment with TIPE has been shown to have potential protective effect on the Cerebral cortex of Wistar rats during prenatal ethanol exposure.