Effect of Acute Administration of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera on Immunoglobulin levels in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Moringa oleifera and related species are commonly used in folk medicine for various human diseases. Aim: The study was undertaken to establish the thrombocytopenic effect of the aqueous leaf extract of moringa oleifera and to find the utilization of platelet parameters in determining the cause of the thrombocytopenia. Methodology: Fresh leaves of moringa were dried and extracted with water. Thirty (30) male albino Wistar rats, weighing between 150-250 g, which were kept under uniform laboratory conditions, were randomly divided into five (5) groups (A-E), based on their weights. The control group (group A) was orally given 0.5 ml of distilled water while the treatment groups (groups B to E) were orally given 250 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg,650 mg/kg and 850 mg/kg body weight respectively of the extract, once a day, for 56days and then sacrificed. At the end of the administration, blood samples were collected from each rat and examined for platelet indices. The effects of treatment with aqueous leaf extract of moringa oleifera on the platelet parameters were compared with the control group. Result: The rats treated with the extract, showed a decrease in platelet count and platelet crit while there was a significant increase in the platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume and immature platelet fraction, concerning the control. Conclusion: The aqueous leaf extract of moringa oleifera is therefore shown to modulate the immune system and cause thrombocytopaenia, through platelet destruction.

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Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera on Reproductive Function Following Cadmium Chloride Induced Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb11410485 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 352-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Avwerosuoghene ODODO ◽

Sunday O. OJEKA ◽

Victor D. DAPPER

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cadmium Chloride ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Leaf Extract ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Testicular Tissue ◽

Cellular Damage ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Aqueous Leaf Extract

Cadmium disrupts the blood-testes barrier, interferes with various antioxidant levels thus enhancing lipid peroxidation and ultimately leading to apoptosis and necrosis of testicular tissue. Moringa oleifera is a medicinal plant and a rich source of essential phytochemicals possessing antioxidant properties. The effect of aqueous leaf extract of M. oleifera on reproductive function following cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress in male Wistar rats was investigated. Forty adult male Wistar rats were assigned into five groups of eight rats each. Treatment was administered orally daily as follows: Group 1 (control): animal feed and tap water ad libitum; Group 2: 5 mg kg-1 cadmium chloride for 21 days; Group 3: 500 mg kg-1 of M. oleifera and 5 mg kg-1 of cadmium chloride for 21 days; Group 4: 5 mg kg-1 cadmium chloride for 21 days followed by 500 mg kg-1 M. oleifera for the next 35 days; Group 5: 5 mg kg-1 cadmium chloride for 21 days followed by 750 mg kg-1 M. oleifera for the next 35 days. At the end of treatment, blood was obtained by direct cardiac puncture for fertility hormone assay and testicular tissue specimens were harvested for semen analysis and determination of antioxidant levels. Results obtained indicated that rats treated with the various extracts had significantly increased superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and catalase levels, increased serum concentrations of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and increased percentage of viable and normal spermatozoa compared to control and only cadmium chloride treated rats (p < 0.05). The results obtained suggest that treatments with M. oleifera extract could ameliorate possible cellular damage caused by administration of cadmium chloride.

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