Impairment of neuro-renal cells on exposure to cosmopolitan polluted river water followed by differential protection of Launea taraxacifolia in male rats

Neuron-nephron toxicity (NNT) has been associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and mental disorders. We hypothesized that increased neuronal cholinesterase activities and oxidative stress play significant roles in kidney injury and that methanolic fraction from Launea taraxacifolia (LTME) could differentially promote brain-kidney wellness after sub-chronic exposure to metropolitan Surulere polluted river water (SPRW). The animals were divided into six groups (n = 8). Group I was orally given 1 ml of distilled water only; group II received 1 ml of SPRW only; group III (pre-treated) received 200 mg/kg LTME before + 1 ml of SPRW after; group IV (Co-treated) received 200 mg/kg LTME + 1 ml of SPRW; group V (post-treated) received 1 ml of SPRW before + 200 mg/kg LTME after; and group VI received 200 mg/kg LTME only. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Exposed animals to SPRW exhibited impairment to neuronal and nephritic cells with elevated cholinesterase activities and significant (p < 0.05) alteration in cerebral and renal antioxidants. There was also brain-kidney depletion in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Differential treatment from LTME prevented the sub-chronic SPRW intoxication in brain-kidney of male rat. Conclusively, LTME differentially attenuates the key indicators of neuron-nephritis and restores the endogenous antioxidant molecules via reduction of AChE and BuChE activities.