title: Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to investigate toxicological effects associated with prolonged consumption of Moringa oleifera leaves as a beverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty rats were used in this study. They were grouped into five groups of six rats. Rats in group I received 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of corn oil (vehicle). Animals in groups II, III, IV and V received 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEMO) for 8 weeks. Serum collected was analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum total protein and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. Rats that received MEMO at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine which pointed to hepatic and kidney damage. All experimental animals that received MEMO had a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight in a dose-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study therefore confirms for the first time that chronic administration of M. oleifera leaves might predispose to hepatic and kidney damage.
authors.forename: Ademola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oyagbemi
authors.forename: Temitayo O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Omobowale
authors.forename: Ibraheem O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Azeez
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Abiola
authors.forename: Rahamon A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adedokun
authors.forename: Helen O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Nottidge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol