Freissmuth McBean*, Bost Dolan

ABSTRACT

Background: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is widely consumed as a recreational psychoactive substance, and its ability to induce persistent or irreversible injury to serotonergic axons has raised major public health concerns. Identifying agents capable of reducing or reversing MDMA-related neurotoxicity is therefore essential. This study evaluated the protective and restorative effects of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract on MDMA-induced neuronal damage within the prefrontal cortex. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6) and treated for 14 consecutive days. Group A served as the untreated control; Group B received M. oleifera extract alone (200 mg/kg); Group C received only MDMA (5 mg/kg); Group D was administered MDMA for days 1–7 followed by M. oleifera for days 8–14; and Group E received MDMA in the morning (5 mg/kg) and M. oleifera in the evening (200 mg/kg). After treatment, brains were excised, weighed and the prefrontal cortex was sectioned for histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Results: Exposure to MDMA resulted in marked neuronal injury and degeneration of myelin sheaths. Treatment with M. oleifera extract promoted structural recovery, characterized by improved neuronal integrity and remyelination. Conclusion: Aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera demonstrated both protective and therapeutic effects against MDMA-induced neurotoxicity in the prefrontal cortex, indicating its potential as a natural neuroprotective agent. Keywords: Moringa oleifera; MDMA neurotoxicity; Prefrontal cortex; Neuroprotection; Wistar rats; Oxidative stress; Myelin regeneration; GFAP expression; Nissl substance; Astrocyte activation.

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