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. 2025 Jun 11:17:307-321.
doi: 10.2147/JEP.S498984. eCollection 2025.

Morin Mitigates Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity: Effects on Motor and Cognitive Function

Godson E Anyanwu  1   2 , Amarachukwu Vivian Umeano  3 , Vivian O Ojiakor  1   4 , Amechi U Katchy  3 , Chinyere N Anyanwu  5 , Sodiq Fakorede  6
Affiliations

Morin Mitigates Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity: Effects on Motor and Cognitive Function

Godson E Anyanwu et al. J Exp Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases are a major public health concern, often associated with motor and cognitive deficits. Methamphetamine (METH) exposure induces lasting neurological impairment and neuronal loss. This study evaluated Morin's potential to reverse these effects, focusing on motor and cognitive dysfunction in METH-induced neurotoxicity.

Methods: Adult rats were randomly assigned into seven groups, including control, Morin-only, METH-only, METH plus fluoxetine, and three groups receiving METH followed by varying doses of Morin. Following METH induction, Morin, a natural flavonoid with antioxidant properties, was administered to rats. Neurobehavioral tests evaluated motor and cognitive function; serum levels of oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, dopamine, and acetylcholine were measured. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the basal ganglia were performed to evaluate neuronal integrity.

Results: METH exposure significantly elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, altered neurotransmitter levels, and impaired both motor and cognitive performance, coinciding with neuronal loss in the basal ganglia. Treatment with Morin ameliorated these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Neuronal degenerative features noted in the METH-only group were significantly ameliorated in the Morin-treated groups.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that Morin mitigates METH-induced neurotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammation. This study demonstrates Morin's potential as a treatment option for the neurological effects of methamphetamine misuse.

Keywords: Morin; acetylcholine; cognitive function; dopamine; methamphetamine; motor function; neurodegeneration; neurotoxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of Morin on (A). MDA (B). SOD and (C). CAT in methamphetamine induced neurotoxicity. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; *Indicates significant difference from control (p<0.05), #Indicated significant difference from Meth-only group (p < 0.05). One way ANOVA followed by Tukey post Hoc test.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of Morin on (A). IL-6 and (B). TNF- α in methamphetamine induced neurotoxicity. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; *Indicates significant difference from control (p<0.05). One way ANOVA followed by Tukey post Hoc test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A and B) Effect of Morin on number of slips (A) and crossing time (B) in walking beam test. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; *Indicates significant difference from control group (p < 0.05), α indicates significant difference from Morin only group (p < 0.05) and #Indicates significant difference from Meth only group (p < 0.05), Two- way ANOVA followed by Tukey post Hoc test.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of Morin on % spontaneous alternation in Y-maze test. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; *Indicates significant difference from control (p<0.05), #Indicates significant difference from Meth only group (p < 0.05). Two way ANOVA followed by Tukey post Hoc test.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) Effect of Morin on discrimination ratio and (B) exponential quotient in Novel object test. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; #Indicates significant difference from Meth only group (p < 0.05). One way ANOVA followed by Tukey post Hoc test.
Figure 6
Figure 6
H&E-stained photomicrographs showing panoramic views of basal ganglia general micromorphological presentations in Wistar rats across the study groups. Magnification: 100 X; scale bars: 50μm. Black arrows indicate profiles with degenerative changes.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Anti-Neu-N immunostaining photomicrographs showing panoramic views of striatum general micromorphological presentations in Wistar rats across the study groups (A–G). Magnification: 100X; scale bar: 50μm. Black arrows indicate cells positive for Neun-N antibody.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Image J analysis of Neu-N positive cells in the basal ganglia. Values are expressed as mean± SEM, *Indicates significant difference from control (p<0.05), #Indicated significant difference from Meth only group (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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