Request Paper

Abstract
Prophylactic effect of Cucurbita pepo seed oil (CPSO) on brain acetylcholinesterase and ATPases (Na+ /K+ and Ca2+) activities of tramadol-induced toxicity were investigated using a total of fifty six (56) Albino rats. The rats were assigned into seven (7) experimental groups (1-7) with eight rats in each group. They were acclimatized for one week, after which, rats in group 1 (Normal control) were allowed access to water and feed without restriction; rats in group 2 were administered 5 ml/Kg body weight (b.w) of normal saline. Toxicity was induced in groups 3-6 using 100 mg/Kg of tramadol (TM). Group 3 (TM control group) was left untreated; Groups 4, 5 and 6 (TM-CPSO treated groups) received 5, 2.5 and 1.5 ml/Kg of CPSO, respectively. Group 7 (CPSO group) received 5 ml/Kg of CPSO only. Group 2-7 were equally allowed free access to water and feed without restriction and the treatments were done by oral intubation once daily for 42 days. Acetylcholinesterase and ATPases activities were assayed using standard methods. TM toxicity was evidenced by significant (p<0.05) increase in the activity of acetylcholine esterase with significant (p<0.05) decreases in the activities of ATPases. However, treatment with CPSO significantly restored the activities of the altered biochemical parameters in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that TM-induced cerebral toxicity by increase in Ache and down regulations of ATPases activities. The inhibition of the alterations in the examined markers by CPSO could be relevant in the management of TM-induced toxicity. Keywords: Prophylactic, Cucurbita pepo, Acyetylcholinesterase, ATPases, Tramadol and Toxicity