title: Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera extracts against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a rich source of essential minerals and antioxidants; it has been used in human and animal nutrition. The leaves and flowers are being used by the population with great dietary importance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves and flowers against hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP) in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the hepatoprotective study, either flowers or leaves of hydroethanolic extract (200 or 400 mg/kg bw through IP injection) were administered an hour after APAP administration. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) was used as the positive control for this study. Liver and kidney function tests including lipid peroxidation levels were analyzed and histopathological changes of liver and kidney were also observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity increased the activities of liver marker enzymes. Histologically, the liver was observed to have inflammation and bridging necrosis. Liver marker enzymes were significantly reduced when treated with flower and leaf extracts of MO in animals with APAP induced toxicity. In addition, there were no significant changes observed in clinical markers of kidney function. Histological observation on liver tissue from the rats treated with MO flower and leaf extract showed reduction in the severity of the liver damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicated the possible therapeutic action of flower and leaf extract from MO in protecting liver damage in rats given an over dosage of APAP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syazana Akmal
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sharifudin
authors.forename: Sharida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fakurazi
authors.forename: Mohamad Taufik
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hidayat
authors.forename: Ithnin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hairuszah
authors.forename: Mohamad Aris Mohd
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moklas
authors.forename: Palanisamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arulselvan
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000506:poisoning; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000975:Antioxidants; D058633:Antipyretics; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000082:Acetaminophen