Phytochemical screening of Ethanol Extract of Myristica fragrans and its effects on the Histoarchitecture of the Ventral Tegmental Area of adult male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Myristica fragrans have been reported to have psychoactive properties due to the presence of myristicin one of its metabolites. This property has made it an attraction for teenagers and seamen to use it as a cheap source of recreational drug, thereby abusing it. 

Aim: The purpose of this research was to determine the secondary metabolites of ethanol seed extract of Myristical fragrans and to assess its effects on the histoarchitecture of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of adult Wistar rats.

Methods: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening were conducted to assess for secondary metabolites, while toxicological test was done to determine the median lethal dose (LD₅₀₎ of the extract_. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing 130 gram to 150 gram were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Group I (control, received 2 ml/kg body weight of distilled water), Groups II, III and IV received ESMF (500 mg/kg body weight of extract; 1000 mg/kg body weight of extract, and 1500 mg/kg body weight of extract, respectively), group V received 1mg/kg body weight of methylphenidate drug. All administrations were done orally for 28 days. The rats were euthanized, brain tissues were harvested, fixated in neutral buffered formalin and processed for hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stain for general histoarchitecture of the VTA, Cresyl fast stain for Nissl bodies and Imunohistochemical stain for BCl-2 reactivity.

Results: Revealed the presence of secondary metabolites; alkaloids and phenolic compounds, and indicated that ethanol seed extract of Myristica fragrans at higher doses elicited neurodegenerative changes in the forms of necrotic nuclei, vacuolations and loss of Nissl substances seen as reduced staining intensity in ventral tegmental area of Wistar rats, and mild reactivity for BCl-2 proteins.

Conclusion; Ethanol seed extract of Myristica fragrans contains secondary metabolites that elicited neurodegenerative changes in the VTA of male Wistar rats.