Hepatotoxic and Nephrotoxic Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaves Extract in Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

The tree, M. oleifera (Moringaceae), is cultivated widely around the world and used for various purposes one of which is as a feed supplement to livestock The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleiera on the liver and kidney. Twenty (20)  adult wistar rats were used sand were divided into four groups. Group I which is control received only feed and water. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with 400mg/kg 600mg/kg and 800mg/kg Moringa oleifera respectively. The rats were sacrificed by chloroform anaesthesia . An abdominal dissection was carried out to expose the major blood vessels and internal organs and blood was collected with the aid of a needle and syringe by cardiac puncture. Biochemical analysis; Alkaline phosphate and creatinine; haematological analysis and tissue processing was carried liver and kidney. The result showed there was a significant increase in haematological indices, significant decrease in serum creatinine level, no significant effect on alkaline phosphate. This study suggests that Moringa oleifera is useful in maintaining the haematological indices and has no untowards effect on the kidney and liver.

Keywords: Alkaline Phosphate, Creatinine, Haematology, M. oleifera (Moringaceae) and histopathology.