EFFECTS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS IN REDUCING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Addiction is an increasing social and health problem worldwide despite all efforts to prevent and control it. Several substances have been known to cause hippocampal dysfunction such as tramadol. Tramadol is a centrally active synthetic opioid analgesic used extensively in the treatment of pain. Amaranth is an herbaceous plant or shrub that is either annual or perennial across the genus; its grain contains phytochemicals that are not defined as nutrients and may be antinutrient factors, such as polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and oxalates. These compounds are reduced in content and anti-nutrient effect by cooking. This research is aimed at evaluating the effect of amaranth on the hippocampus of Wistar rats exposed to tramadol. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups (I–V), of five rats each. Group I received normal saline (5 ml/kg) for 21 days. Group II were exposed to tramadol for 21 days. Group III were induced 100 mg/kg of tramadol + amaranth for 21 days. Group IV were induced 150 mg/kg of tramadol + amaranth for 21 days. Group V were induced 350 mg/kg of amaranth for 21 days. Administration of both tramadol and amaranth was done orally for the animals. All animals were fasted and humanely sacrificed on the 36th day. Body weight changes before and after administration were recorded. Blood and hippocampus samples were then prepared for biochemical and histological analysis, including checking for oxidative stress markers. Rats in groups III–V that were administered various doses of amaranth showed some level of normal hippocampus tissue structure and functional repair, unlike group II that was not administered amaranth and showed high damage. Group II showed a decrease in anti-inflammatory markers and a markedly decreased level of GPX. Results from the research show that amaranth has possible protective effects against tramadol-induced hippocampal toxicity.