Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Ficus Religiosa on Neuronal Degeneration: A Pilot Study in Male Albino Wistar Rats

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of Ficus religiosa (FR) leaf extract on aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced neurotoxicity in rats. Adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly arranged into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group. Group 1 was the control group, group 2 rats orally received 100mg/kg body weight of AlCl3for 25 days, group 3 and 4 comprise treated animals (Ficus religiosa leaf extract of 200mg/ kg body weight and 300mg/kg body weight (per oral), respectively for 15 days) after the initial AlCl3 administration for 25 days. On the last experimental day after FR treatment, behavioural changes were studied in all animals by passive avoidance test. Later the animals were sacrificed and the brain was removed & processed for histological study. Neuronal assay in the hippocampus of the brain tissue was conducted by staining with cresyl violet. In both behavioural test and neuronal assay, significant difference (p<0.001) was seen when control and induced group AlCl3 were compared. Similarly, when AlCl3 administered rats were compared with FR extract treated rats,significant improvement (p<0.001) was observed directing towards neuroprotective potential of FR leaf extract in aluminium-induced neurotoxicity.