Effect of young And old Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Haematological, Renal and Liver Indices In Rattus Novergicus.

Abstract

The study aimed to ascertain the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of young and old Moringa oleifera on haematological, renal, and liver indices in Wistar rats. The study was carried out at the Animal Science Department of AAMUSTED. A completely randomized design was used for the study. A total of twenty male Wistar rats of age eight weeks old were used for the study. The animals were kept in aluminum cages under a 12-hours light and 12-hours dark cycle. The rats were divided into four groups; G1T1 received 1 mL of normal saline, G2T2, G3T3 and G4T4 received 100 mg/kg/bw of iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose, 100 mg/kg/bw of young M. oleifera extract (YMoE) and 100mg/kg /bw of old M. oleifera extract (OMoE) as treatments respectively for four weeks Data from the study was expressed in terms of mean and standard error of the mean. Parameters in groups were compared by one-way ANOVA. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of triterpenoid, glycosides, flavonoid, and saponins in both young and old M. oleifera leaves, however, alkaloids and tannins were found only in young leaves of M. oleifera. Both extract (YMoE and OMoE) significantly (P < 0.05) influenced rat’s feed intake and body weight. An insignificant (P > 0.05) effect of the treatment on haematological parameters was observed. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of YMoE and OMoE treatments on haemoglobin which mirrored the effect of iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose. The study found no significant effect (P > 0.05) of YMoE and OMoE treatments on liver enzymes, lipid profile and Blood urea nitrogen. Creatines levels showed elevation in the group that received iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose, while those administered with Moringa extract had similar effect to the normal saline group. Histopathological examinations showed normal kidney and liver architecture in normal saline and M. oleifera treatments. Mild renal epithelium degeneration was observed in the iron (III) hydroxide poly-maltose treatment. The findings from this study suggest that both young and old M. oleifera leaves, may effectively manage anaemiaj without causing kidney or liver damage.