Protective Effects of Moringa oleifera Ethanolic Seed Extract on Nutmeg induced Kidney Tumorigenesis in Wistar Rats

Recent studies suggest that chronic nutmeg exposure to be toxic to the kidney inducing aberrant cellular proliferation due to the Myristicin component which could promote tumorigenesis [1]. This necessitates the search for protective agents that can mitigate nutmeg-induced renal tumorigenesis. Sixteen (16) Wistar rats weighing 150g, was randomly selected into four groups. Group A received no treatment while Group B was administered 500 mg/kg of nutmeg seed extract. Group C received 500 mg/kg of nutmeg seed extract and 200mg/kg of moringa ethanolic seed extract. Group D was administered 500 mg/kg of nutmeg seed extract and 400mg/kg of moringa ethanolic seed extract. From the immunohistochemical analysis, the photomicrographs of groups B and C showed positive immunoreactivity to both CD117 and vimentin, while groups A and D had negative immunoreactivity to both CD117 and vimentin. The results from this study confirmed Moringa to be a potent natural protective agent for nutmeg induced kidney tumorigenesis which however, should be explored more for its possible application in clinical practices. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Ethanolic Seed Extract, Kidney Tumorigenesis and Wistar Rats