title: Protective effect of Moringa oleifera oil against HgCl2-induced hepato- and nephro-toxicity in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various parts of the Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) tree are widely accepted to have ameliorative effects against metal toxicity. In the present study, M. oleifeira oil (MO) was tested against HgCl2-induced tissue pathologies and oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were administered MO (1.798 mg/kg p.o.) or HgCl2 (5 mg/kg body wt) alone or in combination (5 mg/kg HgCl2+1.798 mg/kg MO p.o.) three times per week for 21 days. After exposure and treatment periods, rats were sacrificed; blood collected and the oxidative status of the liver and kidney homogenates were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the liver, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were higher whereas catalase (CAT) activity was lower in the HgCl2 group than in the control group. In the kidney, MDA level, SOD, and CAT activities were higher whereas GSH activity was unchanged in the HgCl2 group compared to the control group. In the liver, MDA level, SOD, and CAT activities were lower in the HgCl2+MO group than in the HgCl2 group. In the kidney, MDA level, SOD and CAT activities were lower in the HgCl2+MO than in the HgCl2 group. Furthermore, Hg-induced increases in creatinine and bilirubin levels as well as the increase in γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were attenuated in the combine exposure group and the animals showed improvement in the histology of the liver and kidney.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MO decreased the negative effects of Hg-induced oxidative stress in rats.
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Sunny O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Abarikwu
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Sussan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Sunday Godspower
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ebah
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Godbless
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Obilor
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Goodluck
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agbam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010938:Plant Oils; D020011:Protective Agents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Moringa oleifeira oil (MO); kidney; liver; mercury chloride; oxidative stress