Suppository Effect of Aqueous Root Extract of Moringa oleifera on Alcohol Induce Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Moringa oleifera root is the most underutilized part of the plant and it is rich in many phytochemicals.

Aim of the Study: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Standardized and characterized aqueous root extract of Moringa oleifera following the administration of alcohol-induced liver damage in albino wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Thirty (30) experimental rats weighing 100-120 g were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1, the normal control group was given just rat feed and water, group 2, negative control was administered alcohol only (1.5 ml/kg body weight), rats in group 3, 4 and 5 received combined administration of alcohol 1.5 ml/kg body weight and 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of characterized aqueous root extract of Moringa oleifera respectively, group 6 rats were administered 250mg/body weight of extract only. At the end of fourteen days (14) the experimental rats were then sacrificed and the serum liver enzymes were then assayed.

Results: The results obtained from the laboratory was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc test was done afterwards. Rats fed alcohol only produced significant increase in the levels of enzyme markers of tissue damage (AST, ALT and ALP) compared to normal control rats. Rats in group 3, 4 and 5 that were post treated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of extract and they had significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of these enzyme markers in a dose-dependent manner compared to the negative control. The extract control group had no significant increase (P<0.05) in the levels of the enzyme markers when compared to the normal control; however, there was a significant increase in the serum activity of ALP of the extract control group when compared with the normal control.

Conclusion: The present study exhibited a potent hepatoprotective effect against liver injury caused by alcohol administration. This suppository effect could be related to the antioxidant’s properties of Moringa oleifera that is rich in flavonoids and phenolic constituents of the extracts may contribute to their enzyme action.