Oyagbemi AA, Omobowale TO, Azeez IO, Abiola JO, Adedokun RAM, Nottidge HO. Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2014;
24:307-12. [PMID:
23509212 DOI:
10.1515/jbcpp-2012-0061]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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.
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