EFFECT OF KOLAVIRON + ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM ON HISTOMORPHOLOGY AND REDOX IMBALANCE IN THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX FOLLOWING ALUMINUM CHLORIDE ADMINISTRATION

This study evaluated the protective effects of kolaviron (KV) and ethanolic extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (CRA) on histomorphology and redox imbalance in the prefrontal cortex of Wistar rats exposed to AlCl₃. Seventy (70) rats (100–180 g) were randomized into seven groups (n = 10 each): control, AlCl₃ 100 mg/kg, KV 200 mg/kg, CRA 600mg/kg, AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg) + kolaviron (200 mg/kg), AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg) + Crassulaceae (600 mg/kg), and AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg) + kolaviron (200 mg/kg) + Crassulaceae (600 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 14 days following acclimatization. Histological changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in cortical tissue homogenates. Results showed that AlCl₃ exposure produced profound neuronal damage characterized by vacuolation, cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and pyknotic nuclei, along with significant reductions in SOD and CAT activity compared to controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, KV and CRA alone preserved normal neuronal morphology and maintained antioxidant enzyme activity near control values. Combined administration of KV and CRA with AlCl₃ markedly attenuated histological damage and significantly improved SOD and CAT activities compared to the AlCl₃ group (p < 0.05), with the triple combination demonstrating the most pronounced neuroprotective effect. In conclusion, KV and CRA exert neuroprotective effects against AlCl₃-induced cortical damage through complementary mechanisms involving antioxidant defense and structural preservation. The combined treatment showed more pronounced benefits, indicating the potential of multitargeted phytotherapeutic strategies in mitigating aluminum-induced neurotoxicity.