The Effect of Methanoic Leaf Extract of Mentha piperita on the Histology of the Cerebellum of Adult Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Lead Acetate

Lead has been reported to produce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which increase oxidative damage of cellular materials. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation products such as Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) play crucial role in counteracting the harmful effects of ROS. Peppermint leaf (Mentha Piperita) has anti- inflammatory, anti- spasmodic, antioxidant and anti- bacterial properties and is used in folkloric medicine in the treatment of urinary tract infections and allergies. This study is designed to investigate the protective role of peppermint leaf extract in the brain of lead exposed Wistar rats. This will be done by assessing serum levels of SOD, CAT and MDA and cerebellar histology. Twenty (20) adult male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats in each group. Group A served as the control, Group B received 400mg/kg of mint extract only, Group C received 30mg/kg of lead acetate and Group D received both 30mg/kg of lead acetate and 400mg/kg of mint extract. They were administered orally with a syringe using an oral cannula for six (6) weeks. Rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Results shows that CAT levels were significantly lower in the experimental groups B, C and D compared to the control group A, MDA levels showed no significant difference between treated groups B, C and D compared to group A, SOD levels were significantly higher in group B compared to group A but no significant difference in groups C and D compared to group A. Results of histological investigation showed no adverse effect of the peppermint extract and lead acetate on the cerebellum. We can therefore conclude that peppermint at 400mg/kg bw administered orally for 6 weeks uninterruptedly showed no adverse effect on the oxidative stress parameters and the histology of the cerebellum in male Wistar rats.