Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of ethanolic seed extract of Persea americana in ethylene glycol-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats

Ethylene glycol is a widely used industrial compound known to induce systemic toxicity, including oxidative stress-mediated neuronal damage. This study evaluated the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of the ethanolic seed extract of Persea americana (avocado pear) in ethylene glycol-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5). Group 1 served as the normal control, while Group 2 received ethylene glycol (0.1 ml/kg) to induce neurotoxicity. Groups 3 and 4 were treated with avocado seed extract at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg (twice daily), respectively, followed by ethylene glycol administration. Group 5 received a reference drug (thiamine and folic acid) alongside ethylene glycol. Treatments lasted for 28 days. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were evaluated in brain homogenates. Ethylene glycol significantly reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and elevated MDA levels (p