Purpose: Anacardium occidentale commonly known as Cashew is a plant that is widely used in African traditional medicine. It is endowed with phytochemical constituents that are responsible for its medicinal properties.
Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: Control (Group A), Group B (L-NAME 40 mg/kg), Group C (100 mg/kg Anacardium occidentale extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME), Group D (200 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME) and Group E (10 mg/kg of Lisinopril plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME). The animals were treated with oral administration of either the extracts or Lisnopril daily for 4 weeks. Neuro-behavioural tests such as the Morris Water Maze and Hanging Wire Grip tests were carried out to evaluate memory/spatial learning and muscular strength, respectively. Makers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and immunohistochemical staining of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ionised Calcium Binding Adaptor molecule 1 were assessed.
Results: L-NAME administration caused significant increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant status, acetylcholinesterase activity, altered neuro-behavioural changes, astrocytosis, and microgliosis. However, Anacardium occidentale reversed exaggerated oxidative stress biomarkers and improved neuro-behavioural changes.
Conclusions: Combining all, Anacardium occidentale enhanced brain antioxidant defence status, improved memory and muscular strength, thus, suggesting the neuroprotective properties of Anacardium occidentale.
Keywords: Anacardium occidentale; neuro-inflammation; neurobehavioral changes; neuroprotection; oxidative stress.