Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology 2345-5004 13 3 2024 07 01 Neuroprotective effect of Launaea taraxacifolia against neuroinflammation, memory loss and neurobehavioral deficit in a rat model of hypertension: biochemical and immunohistochemical approaches 390 398 10.34172/jhp.2024.44768 EN Ademola Adetokunbo Oyagbemi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8996-8610 Fasilat Oluwakemi Hassan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4760-7593 Olamide Elizabeth Adebiyi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1541-1163 Kabirat Oluwaseun Adigun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3217-7455 Oluwabusayo Racheal Folarin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8790-2343 Temitayo Olabisi Ajibade https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1971-8621 Oluwaseun Olanrewaju Esan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9933-876X Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9486-2861 Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4388-8700 James Olukayode Olopade https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3470-0801 Adebowale Benard Saba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5419-4096 Adeolu Alex Adedapo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3003-7579 Sanah Malomile Nkadimeng https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5647-7156 Lyndy Joy McGaw https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8447-0613 Evaristus Nwulia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3492-882X Momoh Audu Yakubu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6072-2473 Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7299-1128 Journal Article 10.34172/jhp.2024.44768 2022 12 12 2024 04 04 Introduction: Alterations of antioxidant defense, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration are common pathological occurrences associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of Launaea taraxacifolia (LT), popularly known as African Wild lettuce, against neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit. Methods: Adult Wistar rats were used following random assignment into groups 1 to 5. Group one was the normal control. Groups four to five received 40 mg/kg Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In addition to L-NAME exposure, groups three and four received 100 and 200 mg/kg LT, whereas group five received 10 mg/kg lisinopril. The experiment lasted for five weeks. Markers of oxidative stress, neurobehavioural studies, histology, and immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin for staining astrocytes, microglia, and Purkinje cells were determined. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl in the L-NAME alone group were heightened compared to those treated with LT. However, treatment with LT significantly reduced neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurobehavioural changes. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining revealed heightened glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), as well as anti-calbindin as indicated by astrogliosis, microgliosis, and Purkinje cell degeneration in untreated rats. Moreover, the observed ultrastructural anarchy induced by L-NAME was restored in rats treated with LT (P<0.05). Conclusion: Together, the leaf extract of LT can be effective as a neuroprotective drug candidate.