Abstract

EFFECT OF AERVA LANATA ON CISPLATIN INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN RATS

M Ananda Rao*, M N Palaksha, K Naga Sirisha, V Lila Bhargavi, P Manikandhar

ABSTRACT

Aerva lanata extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diuretic, demulcent, headache, lithiasis, cough, vermifuge, pneumonia, biliousness, liver congestion, jaundice, dyspepsia, typhoid and other prolonged fevers. In the present study 70% aqueous ethanolic extract of (the dried aerial parts of) A. lanata is investigated whether or not protect neurons against cisplatin- induced neurotoxicity in male wistar rats. Dietary A. lanata was assessed for its neuroprotective effects through the alteration in performance of hippocampus and cerebellum related behaviours in neurotoxicity following chronic cisplatin treatment (5 mg/kg/week for 35 days) in male adolescent rats. We also evaluated the effects of cisplatin and A.lanata administration on nociception, brain weights and body weights of animals. A comparative study of histological sections carried out in between the brain sections and kidney sections to evaluate the level of effect of A. lanata on two different organ systems. We showed that exposure to cisplatin resulted in significant decrease in explorative behaviours, brain and body weights. Cisplatin increased latency of response to nociception and A. lanata consumption reversed all these effects. We concluded that A. lanata in the diet following cisplatin might have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced disouptions . However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of this protective effect of A. lanata and to explore underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: Aerva lanata (A. lanata), Cisplatin, Neurotoxicity, Nociception.