Effect Of Moringa Oleifera Research Articles

Physiological Studies of the Effect of Moringa olifera and Vitamin (C) on Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Lead Acetate in Male Albino Rats

Lead is highly toxic naturally occurring element that affects numerous organ systems in humans, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Moringa olifera leaves extract and vitamin C in male albino rats against lead acetate toxicity. forty (40) male albino rats were used for the experiment. Group I was administered distilled water, Group II was administered lead acetate only (20mg/kg b.w.), Group III was administered lead acetate (20mg/kg b w) and Moringa olifera leaves extract (400mg/kg b.w.) and Group IV was administered lead acetate (20mg/kg b.w.) and Vitamin C (50 mg/kg b.w.). Animals were exposed to treatment once daily for 8 weeks orally. After the last day of treated animals were slaughtered and blood samples collected and serum separated for analyzing serum liver enzymes. Results obtained in this present study revealed a significant increased at (p<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),bilirubin and Malondialdehyde (MAD), while showed a significant decreased at (p<0.05) in Total protein, Albumin, Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) in group treated with lead acetate only when compared with normal group. However, Effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) and Vitamin C on hepatic injury due to lead induced oxidative stress revealed a significant decreased at (p<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and Malondialdehyde (MAD), while showed a significant increased at (p<0.05) in Total protein, Albumin, Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) when compared with the control group. It is concluded that Moringa olifera leaves extract and vitamin C have antioxidant properties.

Consumption of Moringa oleifera Lam Leaves Lowers Postprandial Blood Pressure

Objective: This clinical study monitored the effect of eating cooked Moringa oleifera leaves on the blood pressure (BP) of healthy participants in view of the perception that consumption of Moringa is associated with an increase in blood pressure, which is contradictory to the findings from the literature.Methods: A random sample of 41 healthy participants were enrolled in this prospective, placebo-controlled clinical study. Participants in the case study consumed 120 g of cooked M. oleifera leaves while the control group did not eat Moringa leaves. BP was measured at baseline before the meal and followed up at regular intervals over 24 hours for both groups. Baseline (T0) mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and postprandial follow-up (T2–T24) were measured for both groups. Participants recorded their diet for a week and this led to an estimation of the total salt consumption per day.Results: A significant difference was observed between DBP at baseline and two hours postprandial (T2) for the case group (p = 0.013). Moreover, in the case group, despite high consumption of salt (7 g/d) during the week preceding the clinical study, there was a significant decrease in both the SBP and DBP. In the control group, participants with prior high consumption of salt (7 g/d) during the week had elevated SBP and DBP.Conclusions: These findings in human subjects indicated the lowering effect of Moringa oleifera leaves consumption on the 2 hours postprandial BP and showed a potential lowering effect on both SBP and DBP despite prior high consumption of salt (7 g/d).

Treatment of Waste Water Using Natural Coagulants

The use of natural coagulants like Moringa Oleifera and Okra plants are receiving attention for their effectiveness in waste water treatment. The technologies involved are economical, traditional and easy to implement and ideal for rural areas. The process being biological in nature does not generate any non-treatable wastes. These processes are easy to operate and require little or no maintenance. After the treatment of both the municipal and dairy waste water samples by two natural coagulants Moringa Oleifera and Okra seeds and synthetic coagulant alum, the results show that there is a reduction in the percentage of various polluting parameters like COD, BOD, turbidity, hardness, TSS and TDS etc. In the study different quantity of coagulants doses (50 mg, 200 mg, and 500 mg) were used but it is found that increasing the amount of coagulant increases the removal but it is not proportional and significant with respect to the quantity of coagulant added. By the effect of Moringa Oleifera coagulant the reduction of turbidity, COD, BOD, hardness, TSS and TDS are found to be 61.20 %, 65.3 %, 55 %, 25 %, 69 %, and 68% respectively. There is not much effect on the pH. By the effect of Okra coagulant, the reduction in percentages of turbidity, COD, BOD, hardness, TSS, and TDS are found to be 65 %, 67 %, 56 %, 30 %,72 %, and 69 % respectively. There is no significant change in pH due to natural coagulants. By the effect of alum coagulant the reduction percentages of turbidity, COD, BOD, hardness, TSs, and TDS are found to be 59 %, 59 %, 50.98%, 67 %, and 65 % respectively. The addition of alum makes the water more acidic.

Moringa Oleifera Alleviates Homocysteine-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology and Cognitive Impairments.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is multifactorial with unclear etiopathology. Due to the complexity of AD, many attempted single therapy treatments, like Aβ immunization, have generally failed. Therefore, there is a need for drugs with multiple benefits. Naturally occurring phytochemicals with neuroprotective, anti-amyloidogenic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties could be a possible way out. In this study, the effect of Moringa oleifera (MO), a naturally occurring plant with high antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, was evaluated on hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced AD-like pathology in rats. Homocysteine (Hcy) injection for 14 days was used to induce AD-like pathology. Simultaneous MO extract gavage followed the injection as a preventive treatment or, after injection completion, MO gavage was performed for another 14 days as a curative treatment. MO was found to not only prevent but also rescue the oxidative stress and cognitive impairments induced by Hcy treatment. Moreover, MO recovered the decreased synaptic proteins PSD93, PSD95, Synapsin 1 and Synaptophysin, and improved neurodegeneration. Interestingly, MO decreased the Hyc-induced tau hyperphosphorylation at different sites including S-199, T-231, S-396, and S-404, and at the same time decreased Aβ production through downregulation of BACE1. These effects in HHcy rats were accompanied by a decrease in calpain activity under MO treatment, supporting that calpain activation might be involved in AD pathogenesis in HHcy rats. Taken together, our data, for the first time, provided evidence that MO alleviates tau hyperphosphorylation and Aβ pathology in a HHcy AD rat model. This and previous other studies support MO as a good candidate for, and could provide new insights into, the treatment of AD and other tauopathies.

Effects of replacement of Moringa oleifera for berseem clover in the diets of Nubian goats on feed utilisation, and milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile

Replacement of conventional feedstuffs with cheap non-conventional ingredients may improve livestock performance and the quality of their products, particularly milk. The study considered the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) foliage in replacement of berseem clover (BC) on feed utilisation and lactational performance in Nubian goats. A total of 16 lactating Nubian does, weighing 36.2±0.8 kg, were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments containing 0, 125, 250 and 375 g of MO per kg diet to replace 0 (M0), 25 (M25), 50 (M50) and 75% (M75) of BC (on dry matter (DM) basis) in a quadruplicated 4×4 Latin square design. The MO diets increased (P<0.01) feed intake and nutrient digestibility. Feeding MO diets improved (P<0.01) ruminal volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate but reduced (P<0.01) valerate and iso-butyrate. Moringa diets increased (P<0.01) serum total protein, albumin and glucose but decreased (P<0.05) cholesterol and triglycerides. Milk yield and energy corrected milk, and milk total solids, fat and energy content were increased (P<0.01) in MO diets. Yields of milk components and energy were greater (P<0.05) for MO diets than for control diet. Milk total saturated fatty acids and athrogenicity index were lower (P<0.01), and unsaturated fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids and UFA/SFA ratio higher (P<0.05) for MO diets. It is concluded that feeding MO to replace 75% DM of BC improved feed utilisation, ruminal fermentation, and milk yield and quality in lactating Nubian goats.

Protective Role of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract Against Gentamicin-induced Nephro- and Hepato- Toxicity in Chickens

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential nephro- and hepato- protective as well as antioxidant effects of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (1% and 0.5%) against gentamicin induced toxicity (55 mg/kg body weight) in chickens. Growth performance, clinical signs, gross lesions, and mortality rates were evaluated at 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks post gentamicin injection. Immune response, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney were evaluated at 1st and 3rd weeks post gentamicin injection. Alterations in growth performance, immune response and oxidative stress markers in the liver and the kidney with increased mortality were observed in gentamicin treated group. Moreover, gentamicin exhibited a significant increase in serum hepatic and renal injury biomarkers as well as microscopic pathological lesions. However, Moringa oleifera leaves extract when given along with gentamicin, reversed the severity of gentamicin drawbacks, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity by normalized the altered serum levels of liver and kidney biomarkers. Moreover, it reduced tissue nitric oxide and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the present study suggest that, Moringa oleifera leaves extract might play an important role in reducing oxidative stress, kidney and liver damage induced by gentamicin in chickens.

Abstract A004: Developing ovarian cancer xenograft in mouse model to see FSHR-mediated anticancer effect of Moringa oleifera root extract

Abstract Introduction: Sex hormones play an important role in ovarian cancer as novel redirected T-cell-based immunotherapy targeting human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)is tried. Moringa olifera root extract has shown efficacy in cancer cell as well as in hormonal milieu of ovary and reproductive organ. Hence, the aim of the present study was to study the anticancer effect of Moringa oleifera on human OAW 42 &amp; MCF-7 cell line through its putative FSHR antagonistic role. Methods: The colorimetric MTT metabolic activity assay was used to see cell viability. Western blot analysis was performed to check its effect in apoptosis. Clonogenic assay was carried out to see the effect of Moringa root extract on cancer cell proliferation. Cell cycle analysis was done based on incorporation of Propidium Iodide into DNA (BD Cycletest™ Plus DNA Kit). Analyses of the samples were carried out flow cytometrically using BD LSRFortessaTM SORP (San Jose, CA) cell analyzer and BD FACSDiva v8.0.1 software.On day 35, mice were sacrificed and histopathologic analysis of the ovaries was carried out following standard protocol followed by IHC for detection of FSHR. Result: The dose-dependent analysis on viability of OAW-42 and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay showed 50% lethal toxicity (IC-50) of MRE (Moringa root extract) to be 250µg/ml and 200µg/ml, respectively, with synergestic effect of Moringa extract with both cisplatin and paclitaxol in OAW-42 cell line. Moringa extract at its IC-50 value showed visible effect in case of cleaved caspase-9. In clonogenic assay approximately 40% reduction of colony formation was observed. Flow cytometric data showed that after 24 hours and 48 hours of treatment with MOL root extract at its IC-50 dose, DNA content progressively increased in the sub G0 phase. However, approximately 3% upregulation and 11.4% downgulation of PI intensity at G0/G1 phase was also observed. Profuse expression of FSHR and its downstream target cMyc in the stroma of carcinoma control mice compared to control or Moringa-treated mice. Conclusion: We can conclude that MRE is a promising candidate for treatment of ovarian cancer by an FSHR-mediated pathway either alone or in combination with traditional chemotherapeutic drugs like cisplatin and paclitaxol at a sublethal dose of their toxicity. Citation Format: Chinmay Kumar Basu. Developing ovarian cancer xenograft in mouse model to see FSHR-mediated anticancer effect of Moringa oleifera root extract [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A004.

Moringa leaf extract as biostimulant improves water use efficiency, physio-biochemical attributes of squash plants under deficit irrigation

Natural plant growth biostimulants are intensively used nowadays for plant growing in normal and adverse conditions. Severely affected by salt and drought stresses, squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an important vegetable crop that highly ranked in economic importance worldwide. The current study aimed to evaluate whether leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MLE), as a novel natural biostimulant for plant growth, could play a role in improving drought tolerance in squash plants under saline condition. In summer and fall seasons of 2016, MLE (3%) was foliar sprayed for plants under full (100% of ETc) or deficit irrigation (DI; 80 or 60% of ETc). The effect of MLE on the growth, yield characteristics and water use efficiency (WUE), physio-biochemical attributes, and leaf anatomy of squash plants exposed to DI stress was assessed. MLE-treated plants exposed to DI had higher growth and yield characteristics, harvest index (HI),WUE, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm and PI), photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars and free proline, leaf anatomy, relative water content (RWC%) and membrane stability index (MSI%) and had lower electrolyte leakage (EL%) compared to MLE-untreated plants. Application of 3% MLE was effective in alleviating damages of drought stresses in squash plants by maintaining higher RWC, WUE, and osmoprotectants, and lower EL.

Protective Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaves Against TramadolInduced Nephrotoxicity in Mice

Tramadol, a broadly in recent years, is an effective analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to acute pain. Its metabolites are excreted by the kidney which may cause nephrotoxicity. Moringa oleifera leaves are commonly used to provide herbal and plant-derived medicinal products especially in developing nations. The present study was carried out to determine the biochemical and histopathological changes in the kidney of tramadol-treated albino mice and to evaluate the possible protective role of Moringa oleifera leaves against tramadol-induced nephrotoxicity. Twenty adult albino mice were divided into four groups. Control group (group i) received daily intraperitoneal injection of normal saline only, group ii received oral dose of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (20 mg/kg/bw) for three weeks, group iii received daily intraperitoneal dose of tramadol (0.3 mg/kg/bw) for the same period, group iv, received daily oral dose of Moringa oleifera leaves extract, (20 mg/kg/bw) three hours before injecting intraperitoneal dose of tramadol (0.3 mg/kg/bw), for the same period. Blood samples were withdrawn at the end of the experiment for kidney function tests and specimens from the kidney were processed for histological study. No significant differences in the mean values of the kidney function tests were noticed between Moringa oleifera group and control group. However, there was highly significant increase in the mean values of serum, urea and creatinine in tramadol-treated group as compared to the control group. Although tramadol + Moringa oleifera group revealed significant difference in the mean values of urea and creatinine when compared with tramadol-treated group. So, Moringa oleifera leaves extract have been shown to attenuate the renal dysfunction, improve the renal architecture, with nearly normalization of serum urea and creatinine levels which indicate improvement of renal function. In conclusion, in the light of biochemical results and histological findings, co-administration of Moringa oleifera leaves lessened the negative effects of tramadol-induced nephrotoxicity; possibly by its antioxidant action. Further investigation of these promising protective effects of Moringa oleifera leaves against tramadol-induced renal injury may have considerable impact on developing an adjunct therapy aiming to improve the therapeutic index of some nephrotoxic drugs.

Cytotoxic effect ofMoringa oleiferaon colon cancer cell lines

Herbal medicines are gaining interest in current research to treat diverse diseases caused by both viral and bacterial agents. Many were shown to be effective as antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and to have antioxidant effects. The effect of Moringa oleifera on these ailments was investigated by others. The anti-tumor effect of M. oleifera was studied on breast and lung cancer cells. In this study, we examine its cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells and determine its mode of action. Three colon cancer cell lines (HCT116, CACO2, and HCT116P53-/-) were used. Different percentages of leaf extract ranging from 0.1 to 2.5% were prepared in boiling water. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts was tested on three colon cancer cell lines (HCT116, CACO2, and HCT116P53-/-) by MTT assay. Membrane integrity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release. ROS level was estimated following the conversion of Nitrobluetetrazolium salt into blue formazan. DNA content was quantified using Propidium Iodide (PI) stain and flow cytometry. Water extracts of M. oleifera leaves decreased the viability of colon cells in a concentration-dependent manner. IC50 obtained ranged between 0.02 to 0.05% for the three cell lines. Treatment of HCT116, Caco2, and HCT116P53-/- with extract at the IC50 induced ROS production and caused LDH release. All three cell lines were arrested at sub G0 phase. Extracts induced cell death mediated by an increase in oxidative stress, disruption of membrane integrity and cell cycle arrest in subG0 phase.

The effects of Moringa Oleifera on lipid profile status, heart histology, and liver histochemistry in adult Wistar rats

Background: Moringa oleifera's leaves are globally used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. We evaluated lipid profile status, heart and liver histology, and the activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases of the liver in M. oleifera-treated adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were employed in the study. Rats of control Group I received physiological saline while rats of Groups II–IV received 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg bodyweight of methanolic extract of M. oleifera, respectively, for 21 days. Results: No gross morphological or behavioral anomalies were observed in rats of Groups I–IV. Histological examinations showed normal histoarchitecture of the heart in Group I and the liver of Groups I–III. Comparative histological analyses showed dose-dependent increased nucleated cells in heart tissues of rats of Groups II–IV than those of Group I. Furthermore, histological evaluations showed hypertrophy of central vein of the liver in rats of Group IV when compared to Group I. Statistical analyses showed dose-dependent nonsignificant higher mean levels (P > 0.05) of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the sera of rats of Groups II–IV compared to rats of Group I. Evaluations of levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases showed a statistically significant higher mean values (P 0.05) in Groups III–IV compared to Group I. Conclusions: No significant adverse effects on lipid profile status, heart histology, and liver histochemistry were observed in M. oleifera-treated rats.

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract as bioregulator for improving growth of maize under mercuric chloride stress

ABSTRACTThe contamination of agriculture soils with heavy metals is increasing due to both natural and anthropogenic activities. This has resulted in lowering the yield and quality of agriculture crops. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) aqueous leaf extract (MALE) on growth and Hg phytoextraction potential of maize cv. Azam under mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced stress. Soil was contaminated with different concentrations of HgCl2 (1 and 0.5 mg/kg). The MALE was applied at 5% and 2.5% as seed soaking prior to sowing of seeds in the pots. The M. oleifera leaf was a good source of macronutrients (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Co and Ni) as well as natural phenolics. The induced HgCl2 stress significantly reduced seed germination (%), shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll content and carotenoids content. The HgCl2-induced stress was associated with accumulation of phenolics and Hg in roots. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly correlated with phenolics content (r = .8007, p = .000). The exogenous application of MALE significantly ameliorated adverse effects of HgCl2 stress on maize plants. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly increased by MALE. It is inferred from findings of the present investigation that MALE served as bioregulator and can be applied to reduce adverse effects of HgCl2 on maize. Moreover, MALE can enhance the Hg phytoremediation potential of maize.

Effect of Pre-treatment with Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) Leaves on Diabetogenesis Produced by Alloxan in Rats

Background: Medicinal plants constitute an important source of potential therapeutic agents for diabetes.Objective: In the study, we aimed to investigate the pre-treatment effect or preventive effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves on blood sugar of rats.Materials and method: This experimental study was carried out in the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Sir Salimullah Medical College in collaboration with Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka. A total 24 long Evans rats were included in this study and divided in to four groups. Hyperglycemia was induced on rats using alloxan (100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitioneally). Blood sample was collected from tail vein by tail tipping method. Pre-treatment effect or preventive role of Moringa oleifera (drumstick) leaf powder on diabetogenesis produced by Alloxan in rats was tested by giving 50 mg/rat/day Moringa oleifera leaf powder for 14 days orally as pre-treatment along with standard rat feed. Then alloxan was administered intraperitoneally on 15th day of the experiment and 50mg/rat/day Moringa oleifera leaf powder was given for 7 days as post-treatment.Results: No significant effect of MO on blood glucose level was observed on normal rats and non significant hypoglycaemic effect was found in rats that were pretreated with MO.Conclusion: The present study suggests that Moringa oleifera leaf powder did not produce any significant protective effect in diabetogenesis produced by alloxan though it has hypoglycaemic effect.Delta Med Col J. Jul 2015; 3(2): 63-67

Effect of Moringa oleifera on the histology, haematology and growth of Oreochromis mossambicus in aquadams® fertilised with chicken manure in South Africa

The effect of Moringa oleifera seed powder on water quality and the histology, haematology and growth of Oreochromis mossambicus was investigated. Five dosage levels, 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg l–1, of M. oleifera seed powder were applied to aquadams® (high-density polyethylene plastic fishponds) fertilised with chicken manure in a completely randomised design and replicated twice. Bicarbonate alkalinity and potassium increased with increasing M. oleifera dosages, whilst turbidity decreased. Dissolved oxygen was significantly higher in all M. oleifera treatments than in the control. Hepatic cord disarray, nuclei pleomorphism and cellular swelling were evident in the liver as the M. oleifera dosage increased. The testis histology showed degenerating sperm cells and atrophied seminiferous tubules in the 300 and 400 mg l–1 treatments. The degree of histological alterations of the gills increased at dosages of 300 and 400 mg l–1. There were significant differences in the white and red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit, and in the mean corpuscular concentration, haemoglobin and volume, between the different treatments. Fish growth decreased with increasing dosage. The histological and haematological parameters indicated that fish health was compromised at the highest dosage, leading to slow fish growth at the higher dosages.

Effect of Moringa oleifera on advanced glycation end-product formation and lipid metabolism gene expression in HepG2 cells

In Thai traditional medicine, Moringa oleifera is used for the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many degenerative diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the antioxidant effect of M. oleifera extract (MOE) for reduction of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation, cell viability, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism gene expression in HepG2 cells. We found that the lyophilized form of MOE in 80% ethanol possessed mean (± SD) total antioxidant, polyphenolic, and flavonoid contents of 9307 ± 364 TE mM/kg dry mass, 218 ± 1 GE mM/kg dry mass, and 286 ± 12 QE mM/kg dry mass, determined using an oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, a Folin Ciocalteu phenol assay, and a total flavonoids assay, respectively. Concentrations of 2.5-10.0 mg/mL MOE could inhibit AGE-formation by 10-45%, and 100-1000 mg/L MOE reduced intracellular oxidative stress (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner in the DCFH-DA assay. However, MOE induced cytotoxicity at high doses (2000-3000 mg/L), as shown by the MTT assay. MOE significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of the HMG-CoAR, PPARα1, and PPARγ genes (P < 0.05). We concluded that M. oleifera could have benefits for human health by reducing oxidative stress and AGE formation. Moreover, M. oleifera may reduce cholesterol and lipid synthesis by suppression of HMG-CoAR, PPARα1, and PPARγ gene expression, thereby maintaining lipid homeostasis.

Extension of Moringa oleifera seed aqueous extract shelf life using trona as a preservative

The effects of Moringa oleifera seed extracts' deterioration and preservation on turbidity removal efficiency were studied. Trona was used as a preservative in the enhancement of the extract's shelf life. An average value of 92.30% was observed at the Moringa oleifera seed extracts' dosage of 800 mg/L as the highest average turbidity removal for all the extracts, while the least value 82.16% was observed at a dosage of 320 mg/L. The fresh preserved Moringa oleifera seed extract had a value of 95.18% as the highest average percentage turbidity removal against all the extracts for all dosages, while the plain extract had the lowest average percentage turbidity removal value of 74.93%. It was observed also that even though the preserved extract was the most consistent in turbidity removal (overall variance of 1.25), the fresh preserved extract had the overall highest performance. However, the difference in overall performance between the two was only marginal, while substantial difference was observed between the plain extract and the fresh plain extract.

Evaluation of Effect of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt;-Based Agro-Forestry Practices on the Yields of &lt;i&gt;Ipomea batata&lt;/i&gt; in North Central Nigeria

The study evaluated the effect of Moringa oleifera based agro- forestry system on Sweet potato yields in North Central Nigeria. The study was carried out in the Potato Multiplication Centre in Gikwoyi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications was used. Data collected included, soil physico-chemical properties, aerial biomass weight, tuber yield, and weed biomass weight. Performance of Ipomea batata was significantly improved by Moringa oleifera based agro-forestry systems. Highest soil organic matter 0.76% (2010), 0.86% (2011) and soil pH 6.8 were obtained from Moringa+ Leucaena plots. Tuber yield of Ipomea batata peaked at 20.2 t ha -1 (2010) and 22.9 t ha -1 (2011) in Moringa + Leucaena plots. Although tuber yield of I pomea batata that received N.P.K (20:10:10) was highest (18.6 t ha -1 ) in the first year of planting, in subsequent years the yields in N.P.K fertilized plots decreased drastically. Poorest tuber yield (3.6 t ha -1 ) was obtained from the control plots in the third year of planting. Weed infestation was drastically reduced (10.29 t ha -1 in Moringa + Leucaena plots compared to that in the N.P.K. fertilized plots; 21.61t ha -1 (2009), 29.10 t ha -1 (2010) and 27.63 t ha -1 in 2012 respectively. Key words: Moringa, Leucaena, Gliricidia, Agro-forestry system , Ipomea batata

Effect of Moringa oleifera on Growth Performance and Health Status of Young Post-Weaning Rabbits

Effect of Moringa oleifera on Growth Performance and Health Status of Young Post-Weaning Rabbits

Preventive Effects ofMoringa oleifera(Lam) on Hyperlipidemia and Hepatocyte Ultrastructural Changes in Iron Deficient Rats

The effects of Moringa oleifera (MO), Moringaceae on hyperlipidemia and hepatocyte ultrastructural changes caused by iron deficiency were investigated. Four-week-old male Wistar-strain rats were fed a control diet based on AIN-93G (C), an iron deficient diet (FeD), a FeD + 0.5% MO (FeD-m) diet, or a FeD + MO 1% (FeD-M) diet for 4 weeks. It was found that MO reduced iron-deficient diet-induced increases in serum and hepatic lipids with dose-dependent increases of serum quercetin and kaempherol, but did not prevent anemia. By electron microscopy, in iron deficient hepatocytes, slightly swollen mitochondria and few glycogen granules were observed, but glycogen granules increased and mitochondria were normalized by treatment with MO. Furthermore, lipoproteins were observed in the Golgi complex under treatment with MO. These results suggest a possible beneficial effect of MO in the prevention of hyperlipidemia and ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes due to iron-deficiency.