Effects of Ethanol Extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria Leaf on Lipid Profile and Cerebellar Histology in Cisplatin-induced Oxidative Stress

ABSTRACT Rauwolfia vomitoria has been observed to ameliorate and prevent cisplatin-induced neural loss due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate the effects of ethanol extract of R. vomitoria (RV) leaf on lipid profile, oxidative stress biomarkers, and the cerebellar histology using cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. Thirty-six (36) rats were randomly shared into four groups (n=9). Group1 (positive control) received drinking water and rats feed. Group 2 (negative control) received cisplatin (5mg/kg body weight) via intraperitoneal (IP) injection. Group 3 received cisplatin (5mg/kg body weight) and 100mg/kg/day (RV). Group 4 received cisplatin (5mg/kg body weight) and 200mg/kg/day (RV). RV was given for 20 days via oral gavage while the single dose of cisplatin was given intraperitoneally on the first day. On day 21, lipid profile was analyzed, oxidative stress biomarkers activities were determined, and the cerebellum was prepared using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Cresyl Violet (CV) staining techniques. Cisplatin elevated total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancers. lipoprotein (LDL) (p>0.05). The TC, HDL, and LDL in the RV-treated groups reduced slightly (p>0.05), while TG was further elevated (p>0.05). The cisplatin group had an insignificant rise (p>0.05) in lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. RV further elevated these values. Cisplatin distorted the cerebellar cortex histology by causing altered Purkinje cell bodies, infiltration of the pyknotic Purkinje cells into the granular layer, fatty changes and vacuolation. The cerebellar histology of rats in groups 3 and 4 showed considerable improvement. The administration of ethanol extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria significantly suppressed oxidative stress, increased antioxidative capacity, ameliorated the histological alterations of the cerebellum, and demonstrated neuroprotective ability against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Keywords: Rauwolfia vomitoria, cisplatin, oxidative stress, lipid profile, cerebellar histology, neurotoxicity