The hepato-protective potentials of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on alcohol-induced hepato-toxicity in wistar rat

Abstract

Alcohol (ethanol) is presently reputed to the most cause of disease development in humans. The liver is the human organ that is most frequently challenged in alcohol abuse by oral route in a process that involves generation of reactive oxygen species. In this study we evaluated the liver histology, liver oxidative stress and the activities of liver biomarker enzymes to investigate the capabilities of polyphenolic antioxidant-rich Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract to ameliorate liver derangement caused by alcohol. Three groups of Wistar rats were constructed for the study; A control group that received peanut oil (the vehicle) 300 mg kg -1 body weight, daily, orally, for 56 days, after saline 5 ml kg -1 body weight daily, orally for 56 days. The Moringa oleifera--alone group that received physiological saline 5 ml kg -1 body weight, daily, per oral for 56 days followed by Moringa oleifera leaf extract 300 mg kg -1 body weight, daily, orally for another 56 days. The alcohol-alone group was given alcohol 5 mg kg -1 body weight, daily, per oral for 56 days followed by saline 5 ml kg -1 body weight, daily per oral for another 56 days. Finally, the alcohol plus Moringa oleifera group which were similarly given alcohol, but had Moringa oleifera 300 mg kg -1 body weight, daily, per oral after alcohol for another 56 days.