Ameliorating Potentials of Lemon Zest on Pons Neurons in Canabis sativa-Induced Wistar Rat

Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana has been indicated for many organs malfunction. It is a common plant ingested or taken by people or individuals for body enhancement. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of lemon zest on the pons of cannabis sativa induced Wistar rats. The plant was collected from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State, Nigeria and 40 healthy Wistar rats were used for the experiment. The rats were divided into five (5) groups. Group 1 served as control, groups 2,3,4 and 5 served as 250 mg/kg lemon zest only, 750mg/kg cannabis sativa only, 500 mg/kg cannabis sativa + 250 mg/kg lemon zest and 900mg/kg cannabis sativa +250 mg/kg lemon zest respectively. The plant extract was administered for 21 days, and thereafter, the organs were harvested for routine histological tissue processing. Findings from the study revealed that when 500mgkg-1 of Cannabis sativa was used to induce the pons, observation showed neuronal hypertrophy and degeneration with mobilization of several supporting cells. The connective tissue indicated an edematous appearance. It was also observed that when a low dosage (500 mgkg-1) of the cannabis sativa was administered alongside 250 mgkg-1 extract of lemon zest, well delineated neuronal cells with well-defined nuclei and nucleolus were observed in the tissue. When the dosage of the Cannabis sativa was increased to 900 mgkg-1 alongside 250mgkg-1 extract of lemon zest, pockets of edematous connective tissues and blood vessel congestion were still noticeable in the tissue. There was a general recovery (proliferation) of lost cells in groups 4 and 5 respectively, as a consequence of the administration of lemon zest with extract (Cannabis sativa) on Wistar rat. The improved tissue and cellular appearance are indications of the potency of lemon zest in the amelioration of adverse tissue effects introduced by the extract of Cannabis sativa.