Effects of defatted Moringa oleifera seed on skeletal muscle of protein energy malnourished rats

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition in form of protein energy malnourishment, is a range of pathological conditions arising from coincident lack of protein and/or energy in varying proportions which can results in muscle wasting and degeneration. Aim: The study is aimed to investigate the effects of defatted Moringa oleifera seed on skeletal muscle of Protein Energy Malnourished rats and to assess its effect on enzyme markers: AST, ALT, Total protein, Albumin, Ca 2+ ATPase and Na + /K + ATPase. Methods: 16 white albino rats of waster strain (Rattus novergicus) were initially divided into 'A' and 'B' groups; Group A rats served as positive control and was administered normal growers' feed while Group 'B' rats were administered with low protein-based diet to induce muscle wasting for 21 days. After the period of malnourishment, group B was further divided into 3 groups: C, D, E. Group C was sacrificed which served as negative control while group D and E were fed with recovery diet containing 20% M. oleifera based diet and 20% fish meal-based diet respectively for another 21 days. Results: Upon the introduction of recovery diet, the results show that there was an increase in the activities of ALT, AST, Na + /K + and Ca 2+ AT Pases as well as the total protein and albumin when compared with the control. Conclusion: M. oleifera leaf-based diet proves to be a sustainable replacement for food protein in the diet.