ABSTRACT
Exposure to neurotoxic substances like mercury chloride poses significant risks to neurological health. Folic acid is an essential nutrient involved in various physiological processes, including DNA synthesis, cell division, and amino acid metabolism. Accordingly, this study was aimed at investigating the possible neuroprotective activity of Folic acid on Mercury Chloride-induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. This study aims to investigate the possible protective activities of folic acid on mercury chloride-induced cerebral toxicity in adult Wistar rats. In this study, thirtysix (36) Wistar rats was randomly divided into six (6) groups of six (6) rats each. Group A rats served as the control group to be given 1ml of sterile water. Group B rats was administered Mercury Chloride only at a dose of 4mg/kg body weight. Group C rats was administered with 5mg/Kg body weight of Folic Acid and 4mg/kg body weight of Mercury Chloride. Group D rats was administered both 10mg/Kg body weight of Folic Acid and 4mg/kg body weight of Mercury Chloride. Group E rats was administered 5mg/kg body weight of Folic acid only. Group F rats was administered 10mg/Kg body weight of Folic Acid only. Various parameters, including body and brain weight changes, neurobehavioral activity, antioxidant enzyme activity, mercury concentration, and histological observations in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and hippocampus, were assessed. Results indicate that mercury chloride administration led to adverse effects on body weight, brain weight, neurobehavioral activity, and antioxidant enzyme levels, while increasing mercury concentration and lipid peroxidation. However, pretreated rats with folic acid mitigated these detrimental outcomes induced by mercury chloride. Folic acid supplementation was associated with improved body and brain weight, enhanced neurobehavioral performance, elevated antioxidant enzyme levels, reduced mercury concentration, and decreased lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus. This study sheds light on folic acid's potential as a neuroprotective agent against mercury chloride-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting its importance in preventing or mitigating neurological disorder caused by mercury chloride.
