Neuroprotective Effects of Tetracarpidium Conophorum in Wistar Rats Treated With Cadmium Acetate

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental heavy metal associated with neurotoxicity. This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of oilseed from Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll. Arg.) on the medulla oblongata of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cadmium acetate (Cd(CH₃COO)₂) and behavioral changes in the medulla oblongata of Wistar rats. . Thirty adult female Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n = 6): control (normal saline), sham (pellets/water only), cadmium acetate only (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.), cadmium acetate + T. conophorum oil seed (3.5 mg/kg i.p. + 0.5 ml/kg orally), and oil seed only (0.5 ml/kg orally). Treatments lasted 30 days. Body weight and neurobehavior (beam walk test) were recorded. Brain tissues were examined histologically (H&E, Luxol Fast Blue). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test; values are mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results showed that cadmium exposure produced weight loss trends and significant histological alterations in the medulla oblongata, including distorted unmyelinated nerve architecture, vacuolated pyramidal cells, and disrupted myelin staining. Co treatment with T. conophorum oil seed preserved histological architecture relative to cadmium-alone animals, with increased Schwann cell presence and improved myelin staining. Behavioral deficits induced by cadmium were attenuated in the oil-treated group.In conclusion, T. conophorum oil seed mitigates cadmium-induced histopathological and behavioral changes in the rat medulla oblongata, supporting its potential as a natural neuroprotectant. Future studies should quantify oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and tissue cadmium to define mechanisms and translational feasibility as dietary or therapeutic agents.