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Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats

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Published/Copyright: March 18, 2013
Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology
From the journal Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Volume 24 Issue 4

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to investigate toxicological effects associated with prolonged consumption of Moringa oleifera leaves as a beverage.

Methods: Thirty rats were used in this study. They were grouped into five groups of six rats. Rats in group I received 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of corn oil (vehicle). Animals in groups II, III, IV and V received 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEMO) for 8 weeks. Serum collected was analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.

Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum total protein and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. Rats that received MEMO at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine which pointed to hepatic and kidney damage. All experimental animals that received MEMO had a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions: This study therefore confirms for the first time that chronic administration of M. oleifera leaves might predispose to hepatic and kidney damage.

Keywords: kidney; liver; Moringa oleifera; toxicity assessment
Corresponding author: Ademola A. Oyagbemi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Phone: +2348033639776, Fax: +234028103043, E-mail:

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Received: 2012-10-10
Accepted: 2013-2-24
Published Online: 2013-03-18
Published in Print: 2013-11-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2012-0061
Keywords for this article
kidney; liver; Moringa oleifera; toxicity assessment

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Masthead
  2. Masthead
  3. Review
  4. Heat: not black, not white. It’s gray!!!
  5. Original Articles
  6. Distribution of performance-related gene polymorphisms (ACTN3 R577X and ACE ID) in different ethnic groups of the Indian Army
  7. Birth month and longevity: birth month of victims of sudden (SCD, ≤1 h) and rapid (RCD, ≤24 h) cardiac deaths
  8. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (HCN2) polymorphism is associated with chronic inflammatory periodontitis. A cross-sectional study
  9. The effect of coadministration of α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on arsenic trioxide-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats
  10. Effect of acute immobilization stress with or without a heme oxygenase inducer on testicular structure and function in male albino rats
  11. Effect of Jobelyn® on intruder- and isolation-induced aggressive behavior in mice
  12. Dichloroacetate at therapeutic concentration alters glucose metabolism and induces regulatory T-cell differentiation in alloreactive human lymphocytes
  13. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities of ethanol root extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae)
  14. Acrolein-induced inflammatory signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells requires activation of serum response factor (SRF) and NFκB
  15. Nephroprotective activity of Cocculus hirsutus leaf extract in 5/6 nephrectomized rat model
  16. Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats
  17. Nevirapine induces testicular toxicity in Wistar rats: reversal effect of kolaviron (biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds)
  18. Toxicity of Chevron Escravos crude oil and chemical dispersant on guinea pig testicular function
  19. Jobelyn® pretreatment ameliorates symptoms of psychosis in experimental models
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