Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and ameliorative effects of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves on the histologyof liver and hepatic reticular fibres integrity of adult Wistar rats following lead-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty four adult Wistar rats, weighing 180 - 220 g, randomly assigned into four groups of six animals each were used for the study. Lead and Moringa oleifera were given orally to the rats. 24 hours after the last administration, animals were sacrificed, blood obtained by cardiac puncture and liver excised, fixed in 10% phosphate buffered formalin for histological and histochemical analysis. The activities of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were used as markers of hepatotoxicity and catalase (CAT) activity were used as marker to evaluate the anti-oxidant status of the tissue. Result showed that lead treatment increased markers of hepatic damage (ALT, AST and ALP) and decreased CAT activities. Histological studies reveal alterations of hepatic structure including hepatocytic vacuolations, sinuosoidal congestion and loss of reticular fibres following lead treatment. Treatment with MO prevented and reversed lead induced hepatic damage. In conclusion, this study shows that Moringa oleifera leaf extract has an appreciable ability to prevent hepatotoxicity caused by lead, partly as result of its chemical constituents which has hepatoprotective properties.
Highlights
Health problems caused by toxic environmental compounds are becoming a global challenge
Sections were stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) for general histology, Gordon and Sweet staining for reticular fibres, and Periodic-Acid Schiff staining for glycogen deposits as described in Drury and Wallington (1980) [23]
The present study shows that lead treatment caused a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in catalase activities which are in conformity with Sharma et al, 2010 who reported activities of catalase were reduced by lead nitrate resulting in peroxidative damage [30]
Summary
Health problems caused by toxic environmental compounds are becoming a global challenge. Lead has been used widely since 5000 BC for application in metal products, pipelines, cables, as well as in paints and pesticides [3] This abundant ecological pollutant enters the atmosphere via fabrication of coal, oil, iron, batteries, and steel, and from smelters, refuge, and tobacco smoke. The liver is a vital organ with a wide range of functions such as detoxification, protein synthesis and production of biochemical necessary for digestion. It is actively involved in many metabolic functions and is the frequent target for a number of toxicants [8]. The study evaluated changes in catalase as a marker for oxidative stress in liver, as well as changes in biomarkers of liver damage
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