Hepatoprotective Action of Moringa Oleifera Lam

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), commonly known as “Drumstick,“ is commonly used in Indian folk medicine for the treatment of various illnesses. The leaves of M. oleifera are reported to have high antioxidant [1] and hepatoprotective [2] activity. We have conducted a study to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of an ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves on hepatocellular damage induced by acetaminophen in rats. Following administration of M. oleifera to the rats prior to challenge with acetaminophen, a significant protective action made evident by its effect on the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lipid peroxidation (LP) levels in the liver. Pre-treatment of M. oleifera has significantly reduced the level of AST (165.17±8.90U/L; p<0.05) compared to that without the extract (531.85±18.56U/L). ALT level was also significantly reduced (56.47±2.15U/L; p<0.05) compared to that without treatment. The alkaline phosphatase level was also reduced although it was not significant. Meanwhile, pre-treatment of the extract has significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation levels in the pre-treatment group (29.48±0.77nmol/g; p<0.05) compared to the group, which was not pre-treated (36.09±1.01nmol/g). Consequently, the results obtained were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. As a conclusion, M. oleifera extracts appear to protect the liver from the damage induced by acetaminophen.

References: [1] Gupta, R. et al. (2007) Cell Biol Int 31(1): 44–56. [2] Ashok Kumar, N., Pari, L. (2003) J Med Food 6(3): 255–259