Oyagbemi A.A., Omobowale T.O., Azeez I.O., Abiola J.O., Adedokun R.A.M., Nottidge H.O.
Department of Veterinary Physiology,Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Oyagbemi, A.A., Department of Veterinary Physiology,Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Omobowale, T.O., Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Azeez, I.O., Department of Veterinary Physiology,Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Abiola, J.O., Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Adedokun, R.A.M., Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Nottidge, H.O., Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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.
alanine aminotransferase; albumin; aspartate aminotransferase; corn oil; creatinine; globulin; methanol; Moringa oleifera extract; protein; adult; alanine aminotransferase blood level; albumin blood level; animal experiment; animal model; article; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; beverage; body weight; chronic drug administration; controlled study; creatinine blood level; enzyme activity; food intake; liver toxicity; long term exposure; male; Moringa oleifera; nephrotoxicity; nonhuman; plant leaf; protein blood level; protein determination; rat; toxicity testing; urea blood level; urea nitrogen blood level; weight gain; Wistar rat; Animals; Kidney; Kidney Function Tests; Liver; Liver Function Tests; Male; Methanol; Moringa oleifera; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic