Biological and Health Sciences

Attenuation of Cadmium Chloride-Induced Apoptotic and Structural Alterations in the CA3 Region of the Hippocampus with Launaea taraxacifolia Aqueous Extract

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Abstract

Cadmium is a toxic environmental metal known for its damaging effects on brain cells, particularly in the

hippocampus, the region responsible for learning and

memory. This research investigated the potential

neuroprotective effects of Launaea taraxacifolia aqueous extract against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-

induced damage in the CA3 area of the hippocampus in male Wistar rats. Thirty-two rats were assigned to

four experimental groups: Group A received distilled water, Group B were treated with 5 mg/kg of CdCl2,

Group C received 400 mg/kg of L. taraxacifolia extract, and Group D were administered 5 mg/kg of CdCl2

followed by 400 mg/kg of the extract. All administrations were given orally for 21 consecutive days. Brain

tissues were processed and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) to assess general histology, Cresyl

Fast Violet (CFV) to evaluate Nissl substance, Bielschowsky silver stain to examine axonal integrity, and

Bax immunostaining to detect apoptotic activity. Rats exposed to CdCl2 showed distorted neuronal

architecture, loss of Nissl substance, neuronal degeneration and strong Bax expression, indicating increased

cell death. However, animals that received L. taraxacifolia, either alone or together with CdCl2 showed

preserved neuronal morphology, improved staining intensity, and reduced Bax expression. These findings

suggest that Launaea taraxacifolia protects hippocampal neurons from cadmium-induced damage, likely

by maintaining neuronal structure and regulating apoptosis, as indicated by histological and Bax

immunostaining results.

Keywords: Launaea taraxacifolia, Cadmium chloride, Hippocampus, Apoptosis, Bax protein.