Effects of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil on Acetaminophen-Induced Oxidative Stress and Liver Damage in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera seed oil against acetaminophen-induced liver injury. 24 male Wistar albino rats were distributed into four treatment groups of six animals each and treatment lasted for ten days. Group1 animals were the Controls while the group2 animals received acetaminophen dosage (1g/Kg body weight) only on the tenth day. Group3 animals received oral administration of Moringa oleifera seed oil (2ml/kg weight) also for 10days prior to being treated with acetaminophen (1g/kg body weight) on the tenth day. Group4 animals were administered only with the seed oil for ten days. Plasma activities of liver marker enzymes ALT and ALP were significantly lower (p<0.05) in animals pre-treated with Moringa oil, compared with those treated with only acetaminophen. Likewise, oral pre-treatment with the oil resulted in a marked reduction in the severity of liver injury, with hepatic MDA formation significantly lower (p<0.05) in group3 animals compared with those in group2. Furthermore, histological examination of the liver tissues revealed changes consistent with the reported biochemical findings. These results suggest that Moringa oleifera seed oil contains natural antioxidants which are believed to mediate its hepatoprotective effects.