EFFECT OF MAUIRA PUAMA EXTRACT ON MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX HISTOMOPHORLOGY IN CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN RATS.

Abstract Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug known to cause neurotoxicity due to the production of toxic metabolites and oxidative stress that can cross the blood–brain barrier. Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is a traditional herbal plant recognized for its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. This study investigated the effect of Muira Puama extract on the histomorphology of the medial prefrontal cortex in cyclophosphamide-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five animals each. Group A served as the control and received normal saline, groups B and C received Muira Puama extract (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg), group D received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg), while groups E and F received both cyclophosphamide and Muira Puama extract (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg). Behavioral tests including open field test, Y-maze, and elevated plus maze were carried out. After the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed and the prefrontal cortex tissues were examined histologically. The results showed that Muira Puama improved body weight, feed intake, and locomotor activity in rats exposed to cyclophosphamide. Histological analysis revealed severe neuronal distortion in the cyclophosphamide group, while the groups treated with Muira Puama showed improved neuronal architecture and preservation of pyramidal cells. These findings suggest that Muira Puama possesses neuroprotective properties and may help reduce neurotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide