The neuroprotective effects of baobab and black seed on the rat hippocampus exposed to a 900-MHz

Journal of chemical neuroanatomy · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 217

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of chemical neuroanatomy · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The neuroprotective effects of baobab and black seed on the rat hippocampus exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field Mohamed H, Deniz OG, Kaplan S. The neuroprotective effects of baobab and black seed on the rat hippocampus exposed to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field. J Chem Neuroanat. 2024 Mar 4;137:102405. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102405. Abstract This study investigated the potential effects on the hippocampus of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) disseminated by mobile phones and the roles of baobab (Adansonia digitata) (AD) and black seed (Nigella sativa) (BS) in mitigating these. Fifty-six male, 12-week-old Wistar albino rats were divided into eight groups of seven animals each. No EMF exposure was applied to the control, AD or BS groups, while the rats in the Sham group were placed in an EMF system with no exposure. A 900-MHz EMF was applied to the EMF+AD, EMF+BS, EMF+AD+BS and EMF groups for 1 hour a day for 28 days. Pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus were subsequently counted using the optical fractionator technique, one of the unbiased stereological methods. Tissue sections were also evaluated histopathologically under light and electron microscopy. The activities of the enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also determined in blood serum samples. Analysis of the stereological data revealed no statistically significant differences between the EMF and control or sham groups in terms of pyramidal neuron numbers (p>0.05). However, stereological examination revealed a crucial difference in the entire hippocampus between the control group and the AD (p<0.01) and BS (p<0.05) groups. Moreover, exposure to 900-MHz EMF produced adverse changes in the structures of neurons at histopathological analysis. Qualitative examinations suggest that a combination of herbal products such as AD and BS exerts a protective effect against such EMF side-effects. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusion We suggest that using appropriate quantities of natural antioxidants in combination with foodstuffs can inhibit or reduce the harmful effects of EMF radiation on the neurons of the brain. The human population, and especially children, should also be protected against exposure to radiation, especially that emitted from mobile phones. To the best of our knowledge, no prior study has demonstrated the effect of AD and BS in the EMF exposed rat hippocampus. Further studies focusing on the effect mechanism of antioxidants, especially AD and BS, that may represent novel protective substances against the side-effects of EMF radiation in the hippocampus, are now needed. Research involving different methods, durations and doses is therefore required.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMale, 12-week-old Wistar albino rats

Sample size56

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 1 hour/day for 28 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In stereological analysis, pyramidal neuron numbers did not differ significantly between the EMF-only group and control or sham groups (p>0.05). Histopathological analysis reported adverse structural changes in neurons after 900-MHz EMF exposure, and qualitative assessment suggested baobab and black seed (especially combined) may be protective against these EMF-related changes.

Outcomes measured

Hippocampal pyramidal neuron number (optical fractionator stereology)
Histopathological changes in hippocampal neurons (light and electron microscopy)
Serum catalase (CAT) activity
Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity

Limitations

No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract
Neuron counts showed no significant EMF vs control/sham differences despite reported histopathological changes
Protective effects of baobab/black seed described as qualitative in the abstract
Small group sizes (7 animals per group)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 hour/day for 28 days"
  },
  "population": "Male, 12-week-old Wistar albino rats",
  "sample_size": 56,
  "outcomes": [
    "Hippocampal pyramidal neuron number (optical fractionator stereology)",
    "Histopathological changes in hippocampal neurons (light and electron microscopy)",
    "Serum catalase (CAT) activity",
    "Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In stereological analysis, pyramidal neuron numbers did not differ significantly between the EMF-only group and control or sham groups (p>0.05). Histopathological analysis reported adverse structural changes in neurons after 900-MHz EMF exposure, and qualitative assessment suggested baobab and black seed (especially combined) may be protective against these EMF-related changes.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No SAR or dosimetry details reported in the abstract",
    "Neuron counts showed no significant EMF vs control/sham differences despite reported histopathological changes",
    "Protective effects of baobab/black seed described as qualitative in the abstract",
    "Small group sizes (7 animals per group)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "hippocampus",
    "pyramidal neurons",
    "stereology",
    "histopathology",
    "Wistar rat",
    "baobab",
    "Adansonia digitata",
    "black seed",
    "Nigella sativa",
    "CAT",
    "SOD",
    "antioxidants"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure described as 900-MHz EMF disseminated by mobile phones."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102405
PubMed: 38447905

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