Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum aqueous leaf extract on the Cerebral Cortex of Ischaemia induced stroke in albino Rat.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the cytoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex, following administration of extract and Ischaemia induction. Fourty healthy male albino wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were grouped into four groups and ten(10) animals per group. The groups were: general control group, Ischemic control, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg Bryophyllum pinnatum group. Aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum was administered intraperitoneally for 21 days before induction of stroke. The result of the study in day 1 post Ischaemia showed a normal cytoachitecture of brain tissue and neuronal cells(N) with normal nucleus in the cerebral Cortex for the general Control group. For the Ischaemic control group, it was observed, that, there was hypoperfussion induced marked congestion of blood vessels(HCBV), excessive degeneration of neuronal cells(DN), excessive vaculation(EV) ; pyknosis and necrosis of neurons. Pretreatment with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg Bryophillum pinnatum, showed a mild congestion of blood vessels(MC), Mild degeneration of neurons (MD) and mild vacuolation(MV) which was brought to near normal by the seventh day, post Ischaemia. There was a significant reversal of the conjestion of blood vessels , reversal of necrotic degeneration of neurons in the 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg Bryophillum pinnatum pretreated group, when compared to the Ischaemic control group. Previous phytochemical studies have shown that Bryophylum Pinnatum leaf extracts contains Tannins, Flavonoids and Phenols which enhances antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities. The action of the chemical compounds; flavonoids, phenols, along with antioxidants, vitamins and enzymes may have contributed to the neuroprotective effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum after ischaemia. Knowledge gained from this work will be useful to the Neuroscientist, Anatomist and Ethnomedicinal researchers.

Key Words: Anatomist, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Neuroprotection, Neuroscientist, and Ethnomedicinal researchers