The study was designed to determine whether lactational exposure to hyoscyamine fraction of Datura stramonium L. (D. stramonium) seeds affect the cognitive, spatial learning and memory functions of the hippocampus in Wistar rats at adulthood. Fresh seeds of D. stramonium L. were procured, macerated and fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Eight (8) Wistar rats weighed 150-250 grams of equal gender were used for the study. The rats were mated and divided into control and treatment groups. Equivalent body weight of normal saline and 400 mg/kgbwt of hyoscyamine fraction were orally administered to the breastfeeding rats respectively on lactational days (LD) 1-21. At adulthood, the rats were subjected to neurobehavioural tests using novel objects recognition (NORT) and Morris water maze (MWM) respectively. The data obtained were expressed as mean ± SEM, independent two samples t-test and General Linear Model (GLM) repeatedmeasures ANOVA with Fisher’s multiple comparisons post-hoc tests were used to show the mean differences using Minitab 17 (LLC., U.K.) statistical package software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A significant increase in the meantime of exploration between the groups (p = 0.049) was observed during the NORT. No statistically significant increase (p = 0.626) in the meantime to locate the escape platform between the groups during the MWM test. The CA1 region of the treated group showed mild nuclear hyperchromasia, cytoplasmic vacuolations and pyknosis. In conclusion, exposure to hyoscyamine fraction of D. stramonium L. seeds at lactation caused histologic changes in the CA1 region, loss in short-term memory but not spatial learning and memory functions of the hippocampus of Wistar rats at adulthood.

Background: Lead acetate (Pb) exposure during frontal cortex development is associated with developmental
toxicity later in life, causing both morphological and functional alterations. Curcuma longa,
however, has been suggested to possess neuroprotective qualities that could lessen these adverse effects.
Objective: Assessed the frontal cortex following treatment with Curcuma longa. Materials and Methods:
Twenty adult female Wistar rats and ten adult male Wistar rats were matched during the proestrous phase
of the estrous cycle in order to mate and create five groups of six (n=6) in a 4:2 (4 females to 2 males)
ratio. Gestational day 0 was marked as the confirmation of pregnancy based on if sperm is present and a
vaginal plug in the vaginal smear. Four (n=4) pregnant Wistar rats were put together. Group 1 (control) rats
were given 2 milliliters per kilogram of distilled water. Pb was given at a dose of 120 mg/kg to Group 2.
Group 3 rats were given 120 mg/kg of lead and 100 mg/kg of vitamin C. The animals in Group 4 received
750 mg/kg of Curcuma longa and 120 mg/kg of Pb. The animals in Group 5 rats were given 1500 mg/kg
of Curcuma longa and 120 mg/kg of Pb. From gestational day 7 to day 21 (14 days), the medication was
administered orally. The animals were allowed to litter naturally. At postnatal day (PND) 1, some pups
were euthanized using chloroform inhalation and their brains were harvested for Oxidative stress markers,
histology, histochemical assessments. While some pups were kept for Cliff avoidance test at PND 4-7.
Results: The study found that lead acetate (Pb) exposure during gestation significantly decreased the mean
turning latency in the cliff avoidance test and increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, while decreasing
antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, CAT, GSH) compared to the control group. These neurological and oxidative
changes were mitigated by co-administration of Curcuma longa, with a notable improvement in the
cliff avoidance test performance and restoration of the altered histological and histochemical markers. The
results suggest that Curcuma longa, a natural antioxidant, has neuroprotective properties that can counteract
the adverse effects of lead toxicity during gestational development. Conclusion: N-Butanol Fraction
of Curcuma Longa ameliorated lead-induced neurotoxicity in rat pups.