10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Africa’s Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) demands a paradigm shift toward human-centric, bio-harmonious health innovations that safeguard community well-being and ecological systems. Evaluating the neuro-metabolic safety profiles of mass-distributed synthetic contraceptives, such as Levonorgestrel (LNG), is a critical priority under the ‘One Health’ framework. This study investigates the impact of repeated LNG exposure on brain lipid homeostatic parameters and bioenergetic signaling using an animal model to establish a biochemical rationale for exploring sustainable, indigenous plant-based alternatives. Female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: Normal Saline control, low-dose LNG (4μg/kg/3ce), and high-dose LNG (8 μg /kg/3ce). Brain tissues were analyzed for major lipid fractions and key metabolic signaling biomarkers, with data evaluated using one-way ANOVA. Repeated LNG exposure caused a marked, dose-dependent depletion of critical structural brain lipids and cellular signaling pathways. Brain Total Cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly from 339.70 ± 5.93(mg/dl) in controls to 248.11± 6.46 (mg/dl) at the high dose [F=35.52, p < 0.001]. Brain Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) similarly decreased from 247.83± 5.61 to 162.00± 5.08( mg /dl)[F=47.21, p < 0.001]. Most critically, brain Protein Kinase A (PKA)-the master regulator of cellular bioenergetics and cognitive signaling-significantly reduced from 637.98± 21.22 to 184.99±1.85 (ng/mg protein) [F=114.26, p < 0.001]. Variations in AST and LDH were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The extreme decline in essential nervous tissue lipids and the downregulation of PKA pathways demonstrate substantial neuro-metabolic costs tied to synthetic LNG. Aligning with Africa’s 5IR subtheme of "One Health & Well-being," these findings validate the need for citizen-led scientific innovation to screen and adopt bio-harmonious, indigenous phytocompounds (e.g., Diosgenin or Solasodine). This strategic transition supports SDG 3 (Good Health) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by defending the long-term cognitive and metabolic health of African women.