Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract on Paracetamol Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Albino Male Rats.

Liver disease is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, for which virus, toxin and drugs are common risk factors. Paracetamol is a common analgesics and antipyretic drug but at overdose can cause severe hepatotoxicity. Moringa oleifera is a highly nutritious vegetable tree with variety of potential uses which may have hepatoprotective effect. The objective of the study was to observe the effect of Moringa oleifera (Sajna) leaf extract on paracetamol induced liver damage in Wistar albino male rats. This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2022. A total number of twenty-four (24) apparently healthy Wistar albino male rats, 90-120 days old, weighing between 200-250gm were taken for this study. After acclimatization for 14 days, they were divided into three groups: Negative control group (Group A), Positive control group (Group B) and Experimental group (Group C). Each of this group was consisted of eight rats. All the rats received basal diet for 28 days. In addition to basal diet Group B and Group C received paracetamol orally (2g/kg/day) for last 3 days (26th to 28th days) of the study period. Again, Group C also received aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf orally (200 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Then all the rats were sacrificed on 29th day. After sacrifice blood and liver samples were collected. Blood sample was collected from heart. Serum levels of total bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and hepatic contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by using standard laboratory method. Histopathology of liver was also done by using standard laboratory procedure in the Department of Pathology of SSMC. Statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) for windows version 28.0. Data were presented as mean ±SD. One way ANOVA and post hoc-Bonferroni test, Paired "t" test and Fisher's Exact test were done as applicable. p value ≤0.05 was considered as level of significance. The mean±SD serum total bilirubin level was 0.08±0.03, 2.01±0.34 and 0.16±0.02 mg/dL, mean serum ALT level was 32.88±4.02, 114.50±29.17 and 50.50±6.21 U/L, mean serum AST level was 46.38±8.33, 220.50±17.55 and 106.75±4.36 U/L, mean serum ALP level was 79.25±19.47, 114.50±23.40 and 103.50±5.97 U/L, mean serum GGT level was 6.95±2.08, 14.78±4.02 and 9.61±2.31 U/L, in Group A, Group B and Group C respectively. The mean serum total bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP and GGT levels were significantly higher in Group B (p<0.001) in comparison to those of Group A whereas, mean±SD serum total bilirubin, ALT, AST and GGT levels were significantly (p<0.001) lower in Group C than that of Group B. The mean±SD MDA level was 3.83±1.21, 12.16±3.14 and 6.89±1.61 nmol/mg protein in Group A, Group B and Group C respectively. The mean±SD MDA level was significantly higher in Group B and Group C (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively) in comparison to that of Group A, whereas this level was significantly (p<0.001) lower in Group C than that of Group B. Moreover, abnormal histopathological findings of liver were observed in 100.0% of rats in Group B, 12.5% of rats in Group C. The study reveals that Moringa oleifera leaf extract has hepatoprotective effect on paracetamol induced liver damage in Wistar albino male rats.