Mostuea batesii Baker (Gelsemiaceae) root bark hydroethanolic extract unveil neuroprotective, antihypertensive, and antioxidant activities in rat model exposed to lead acetate.

Lead poisoning is the first occupational disease in the Eastern region of Cameroon and is associated with mining activities. It has serious neurological and cardiovascular consequences that can lead to death. Conventional treatments available do not significantly reduce the bioavailability of lead in blood and are not accessible to everyone. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective and antihypertensive effects of Mostuea batesii (M. batesii) extract in a rat model of lead acetate poisoning. Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups (n = 8) and received in addition to lead acetate at 50 mg.kg-1, the following treatments for 28 days except the normal group: distillated water (Negative), a mixture of imipramine and Losartan (10/50 mg.kg-1) (positive), and Mostuea batesii extract at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg.kg-1. The normal group was treated with distillated water without Lead acetate. Following a behavioral investigation, hemodynamic parameters were measured, and the sacrifice was performed. Blood and organs including cerebral cortex, hippocampus, aorta, and liver, were obtained for biochemical and histological examinations. Lead acetate at 50 mg.kg-1 showed an increase of immobility time in the forced swimming test, as well as the heart rate (13.65 %), atherogenic index, (p < 0.001). Moreover, lead acetate induced oxidative stress by increasing MDA and Nitrogen oxide levels in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as neuronal loss, (p < 0.001) in CA3 by to cytolysis, and pycnosis. Treatment with Mostuea batesii at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg on the other hand restored these parametters by increasing GSH levels, reducing the concentration of MDA and Nitrogen oxide and restoration of hippocampal cells microarchitecture. Moreover, M. batesii extract has significally reduce systolic blood pressure comparative by the negative group, as well as heart rate and the aorta thickness. This extract is thought to have neuroprotective, antihypertensive, and antioxidant properties.