Acute toxicity of the aqueous-methanolic Moringa oleifera (Lam) leaf extract on female Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Background: Herbal preparations are widely assumed to be safe on oral administration and therefore the documentation of the toxic potential of some herbal concoctions used as medicine and nutrients is limited. Moringa oleifera (MO) is a plant that is gaining tremendous popularity in rural communities in Kenya as a means of offsetting nutritional and medicinal needs. However, very little is known about the safety of the plant on oral administration. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the biochemical and histological changes in the liver following the administration of an aqueous-methanolic (AQ-ME) MO leaf extract in female Wistar albino rats. Methods: Acute oral toxicity study on the AQ-ME MO leaf extract was conducted by the use of the limit test dose of the up and down procedure (OECD guideline number 425) with slight modifications. Briefly, ten (10) healthy, nulliparous, non-pregnant female Wistar strain albino rats aged 8-12 weeks and weighing 180±20 grams were used for the study. These animals were randomly selected into two groups; control and treatment group each having five (5) animals. They were then labelled to enable identification and control group animals were orally administered with physiological buffer saline once daily over a 48-hour period. The five (5) rats in the treatment group were dosed orally one at a time and once daily with a 2000 mg/kg dose of the AQ-ME MO leaf extract to determine the median lethal dose over a 48 hour period. Blood was then collected and used to prepare serum for biochemical analysis of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) which are important biomarkers of liver dysfunction. Biochemical assays of these enzymes were performed using the method of the International Federation of Clinical Chemists (IFCC). Death was used as an endpoint, livers harvested and used to prepare transverse sections for histopathological examination. These sections were stained using the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) method and observed for pathological changes using an optical microscope. Results: A 2000 mg/kg oral dose of AQ-ME MO leaf extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean levels of AST but a non-significant (p>0.05) increase in the mean levels of total bilirubin in the treatment group relative to the control group. On the other hand, the extract caused a nonsignificant (p>0.05) decrease in the mean levels of ALT in the treatment group relative to the control. The post mortem analysis of the hepatic index (liver to body weight ratio) revealed that there was a non-significant increase (p>0.05) in the hepatic index of the treatment group relative to the control. However, the transverse liver sections of treatment group animals showed mild distortions in the architecture of liver cells. Conclusions: Based on these results, the LD 50 of the AQ-ME MO leaf extract was found to be >2000 mg/kg in female wistar albino rats.

Chemical Constituents, in Vitro Antioxidant Activity, Oral Acute Toxicity and Ld50 Determination of Moringa Oleifera Leaves

“…The LD50 of the aqueous methanol extract of M. oleifera leaves was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg in female wistar albino rats [41], while in the current study the LD50 of the methanolic extract was 3458.3 mg/kg in male wistar albino mice. Kasolo et al, (2011) reported that, the LD50 values of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of M. oleifera roots growing in Uganda were 17.8 g/kg and 15.9 g/kg, respectively [42].…”

Mitigative effects of Moringa oleifera against liver injury induced by artesunate-amodiaquine antimalarial combination in wistar rats

“…From our previous studies on acute oral toxicity of MO [14], a 1000 mg/kg dose of the aqueous-methanol MO leaf extract was used in evaluating hepatoprotective activity against AS-AQ intoxication. Thirty six rats were randomly assigned to 12 groups (each 3 animals) based on the Acute Toxic Class method [15].…”

Antiviral Activity of Dicrocephala Integrifolia (Kuntze) Against Herpes Simplex Type-1 Virus: An in vitro Study

“…21,27,28 There is a general misguided perception that herbal preparations are safe and thus the documentation of the toxic potential of herbal medicine and nutrients remains elusive. 29 A majority of the reports touching on the toxicity of herbal medicines are often associated with hepatotoxicity 30 yet toxic effects may also manifest at cellular level in the various body systems. 31 In the current study, we sought to determine the cytotoxic effects of crude extracts of D. integrifolia on Vero cell lines using the MTT assay.…”