Effects of Kolaviron on Developing Brain of Pups from Rats Treated with Aqueous Extract of Cola nitida Seeds

Abstract

The brain is exposed throughout life to stress, and certain diseases of the brain and nervous system are thought to involve free 
radical processes and oxidative damage. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of kolaviron on developing brain of pups 
from Kolanut-treated rat. Twenty-five adult pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 160 and 180g were randomly divided into 
five groups of five animals each. The animals were fed with standard diets of mice cubes and water provided ad libitum. The 
control rats received water and cornoil, while the treated groups received 200 mg/kg body weight of kolanut (kn), 200 mg/kg of 
kolaviron (kv), and 200 mg/kg body weight of vitamin E which served as a standard antioxidant with cornoil as vehicle orally in 
pre- and post-natal life (Day 1 of pregnancy to day 28 after birth). After birth, gross morphometry and behavioural changes of 
the pups of days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 were evaluated. There were mild alterations in the gross morphometry and behavioural 
parameters studied in the kolanut-treated animals compared with the control at p< 0.05. Co-administration of kolaviron and 
vitamin E did not reverse the changes produced by kolanut in the developing rats.