en گياهان دارویی Medicinal Plants پژوهشی Research <div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Background: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Gestational stress is a key factor in neurodevelopmental impairments in offspring, affecting learning, memory, and emotional regulation. <i>Moringa oleifera </i>Lam. leaf extract (MoLE) with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may offer neuroprotective benefits. <b>Objective: </b>This study evaluated impact of <i>MoLE</i><i> </i>on the neurodevelopment of Wistar rat pups subjected to Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS).<b> Methods: </b>Twenty-five healthy virgin female Albino-Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups of five rats each, which underwent a two-week CUS protocol. Groups were as follows: Group I (received <i>ad libitum</i> water and standard rat chow), Group II (received <i>MoLE</i> at 5 mg/kg body weight/day), Group III (received <i>MoLE</i> at 10 mg/kg body weight/day), Group IV (CUS + <i>MoLE</i> at dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight/day), and Group V (CUS + <i>MoLE</i> at dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight/day). Offspring were evaluated for histological changes in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, while serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and behavioral tests were carried out to assess anxiety-like behaviors and spatial memory. <b>Results:</b> Histological analysis revealed <i>MoLE</i> supplementation mitigated cellular damage. MDA levels were elevated among pups exposed to <i>MoLE</i>-supplemented and CUS, but not in <i>MoLE</i>-supplemented groups. Behavioral results for anxiety-like behavior were inconclusive. Spatial memory results showed a non-significant decrease in all groups, requiring further investigation. <b>Conclusion: </b>This study provides preliminary evidence for <i>M. oleifera&#39;s</i> potential neuroprotective effects against gestational stress-induced damage. Further research with more specific behavioral tests is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory.</span></span></div> Anxiety, Amygdala, Stress, Moringa oleifera, Neurodevelopment, Hippocampus, Prefrontal cortex, Spatial memory 79 101 http://jmp.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-6966-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Odochi O. Chukwu odochi.ogbu@evangeluniversity.edu.ng 100319475328460049010 100319475328460049010 Yes Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria Cordilia O. Iyare cordie2age@gmail.com 100319475328460049011 100319475328460049011 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Albert E. Okorocha okorocha.ae@yahoo.com 100319475328460049012 100319475328460049012 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Nwaeze G. Konyefom konyefomnwaeze@gmail.com 100319475328460049013 100319475328460049013 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria Chinedum U. Emelike chinedumemelike@gmail.com 100319475328460049014 100319475328460049014 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria Gertrude N. Onyeji gnonyeji@yahoo.com 100319475328460049015 100319475328460049015 No Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, Nigeria Nancy P. Igwe igwenancyp123@gmail.com 100319475328460049016 100319475328460049016 No Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria Anthony C. U. Ezimah drezimah2009@yahoo.com 100319475328460049017 100319475328460049017 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria