Antihepatotoxic Effect of Methanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antihepatotoxic effect of Moringa oleifera leaves methanolic extract against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The methanolic extract was prepared and chemically screened. Rats were divided randomly into five groups each of five as follows; normal control, intoxicated rats group injected with CCl4 in liquid paraffin 1:9 (v/v) at a dose rate of 0.2 ml kg-1 day-1 intraperitoneally (IP), standard hepatoprotective drug group given silymarin at a dose of 100 mg kg -1 dissolved in 5% Acacia mucilage. M. oleifera leaves methanolic extract groups were administered 200 and 400 mg kg -1 of the extract orally. CCl4 was injected simultaneously with standard drug and the leaves extract for 10 days. Liver function test (serum aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin) were estimated at day 0, 5 and 10. The livers were sectioned and investigated histopathologically. The oral administration of M. oleifera leaves extract (200 - 400 mg kg -1) and the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin at a dose of 100 mg kg -1 significantly reduced the activities of AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin compared to CCl4 – intoxicated rats. These results were further supported by histopathological findings of liver sections. Hepatic degenerative changes and lymphocyte infiltrations were reduced in animals treated with M. oleifera leaves extract as well as those receiving silymarin. Phytochemical screening of leaves exhibited the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, glycosides and cumarins. The present results suggest that the methanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves could possess potential antihepatotoxic effect against CCl4 – induced hepatotoxicity in rats.