African Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Research
Vol 3 No 1 (2026): African Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Research

Neuroprotective Effects of Cloves on Albino Rats Induced with Mercury

Isaac John Umaru (Unknown)
Mosugu O. O (Unknown)
Solomon Ossom Asare (Unknown)
Bakari Genevieve Sirina (Unknown)
Shelter Agbeko Bobie (Unknown)
Atsu Ayi (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 Nov 2025

Abstract

This study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of clove (Syzygium aromaticum, CV) in albino rats exposed to mercury chloride (MC), utilizing a diabetic rat model to investigate both neurological and immunological responses. Clove is known for its potent antioxidant properties, with applications spanning the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and agricultural sectors. Mercury chloride, a recognized neurotoxin, is commonly ingested through carbohydrate-rich foods subjected to high-temperature processing. The experimental design included five groups: Group I (Control: corn flour diet), Group II (MC-treated: 20 mg/kg body weight), Group III (CV-treated: 200 mg/kg BW), Group IV (CV 100 mg/kg BW + MC 20 mg/kg BW), and Group V (CV 200 mg/kg BW + ascorbic acid 20 mg/kg BW), with treatments administered over 21 days. MC exposure induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in brain tissue, evidenced by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histopathological degeneration in the hippocampal MA3 region and granular layer (HL). Clove administration significantly mitigated these effects by increasing glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, reducing MDA concentrations, lowering gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and elevating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, thereby restoring biochemical parameters toward normal levels. Histological findings further confirmed the protective effect of clove against MC-induced neuronal damage. These results suggest that clove confers neuroprotection through its antioxidative and neurochemical modulation properties, highlighting its potential therapeutic value in preventing heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

AJMSPHR

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

African Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Research aims to publish rigorous, peer-reviewed scholarship that advances medical science, surgical practice, and public health research through ethically grounded, scientifically robust, and practically relevant studies. • Medical Research: ...