Experimental and Mathematical Model for the Hepatoprotective Effect of Methanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaf against CCl4- induced Hepatotoxicity in Sprague Dawley Male Albino Rats

Background: To evaluate the in-vivo antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaf against CCl4- induced toxicity in rats.

Methods: The phytochemicals present in the plant were determined using standard methods. Male albino rats were made hepatotoxic by orally administered with CCl4 (20% CCl4 in olive oil) twice per week for a period of four weeks. They were orally treated with Moringa oleifera leaf extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and silymarin (200 mg/kg body weight) once a day for 28 days. Biochemical assays such as: plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), total protein (TP), lipid peroxidation, catalase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidise and histopathology were used to assess damage caused by CCl4 and the protective effects of the extract on the liver tissues. The mathematical model was analysed using Maple 18.0 software

Results: Phytochemical screening of Moringa oleifera shows the presence of secondary metabolites like tannin, anthocyanine, steroid, anthraquinones, terpenoids and saponin. The extract does not have any effect on the hematological parameters. The results showed that oral administration of M. oleifera significantly reduced (P<0.05) the elevated plasma levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, TC, TG and the level of malondialdehyde in the rats liver that were induced with CCl4. Treatment with the extract was also found to significantly increase (P<0.05) the TP level, the activities of SOD % inhibition, SOD unit, CAT and GPx, as well as increase the GSH content in the liver of the animals. Liver histopathology also showed that the extract reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl4. Mathematical model analysis shows that treating the rats with Moringa oleifera leaf extract gives an optimal result just like the standard drug which is in conformity with the experimental result of the bench work.

Conclusion: The result suggested that M. oleifera exhibits potent hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats due to the increase of antioxidant-defence system activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.