Herbal snuff (AK-47 and HAM) induce oxidative stress and increase acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity in rat brain

Snuff has resurfaced not only in western countries but in Africa including Nigeria. It is now almost generally acceptable, among young and old in Nigeria. This research was designed to investigate the Effect of Hajiya Aisha Manpower (HAM) and AK-47 on Antioxidant Status and Acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity (AchE) of Wister Albino Rats. Thirty (30) Wister rats (110-120 g) were arbitrarily divided into five groups. Group1 (control); received only distilled water. Groups 2 and 3 (received 6 mg and 3 mg/kg b.w.t of HAM respectively). Groups 4 and 5 (received 6 mg and 3 mg/kg b.w.t AK-47 of respectively). After two months of treatments, the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were taken through heart puncture and brains of all rats were isolated and homogenized. The Result revealed Non-significant decrease in Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and concomitant increase in GSH levels in treatment groups were observed in relation to the control. While a substantial increase (p˂ 0.5) in MDA was detected in treatment groups. Brain AchE activity increased significantly in all treatment groups in relation to the control. We conclude that Both AK-47 and HAM at high concentration induce oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and promote degradation of acetylcholine in rat brain homogenate.