Effect of Young and Old Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Haematological, Renal and Liver Indices in Rattus novergicus

Aim: The use of Moringa oleifera leaves has gained worldwide acceptance in use by animals and humans. The study aimed to determine the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of young and old Moringa oleifera on haematological, renal, and liver indices in Wistar rats.

Design: A completely randomized design was used for the study.

Place and duration of study: The study was carried out in the Animal Science Department of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development and lasted for six weeks.

Materials and methods: A total of twenty male Wistar rats of age eight weeks old were used for the study. The Wistar rats were kept in aluminum cages under a 12-hours light and 12-hours dark cycle. The rats were divided into four treatments; Treatment (T1) received 1 mL/bw/day of normal saline, Treatments 2, 3, and 4 received 100 mg/kg/bw of iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose, 100 mg/kg/bw of young Moringa oleifera extract (YMoE) and 100mg/kg/bw of old Moringa oleifera extract (OMoE) as treatments respectively for six weeks. Phytochemical screening of young and old Moringa oleifera was done separately using standard extraction procedures.

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of triterpenoid, glycosides, flavonoid, and saponins in both young and old Moringa oleifera leaves, however, alkaloids and tannins were found only in young leaves of Moringa oleifera. Both extract (YMoE and OMoE) significantly (P<0.05) influenced rat’s feed intake and body weight. An insignificant (P>0.05) effect of the treatment on haematological parameters was observed. However, there was a significant (P<0.05) effect of YMoE and OMoE treatments on haemoglobin which mirrored the effect of iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose. The study found no significant effect (P>0.05) of YMoE and OMoE treatments on liver enzymes, and Blood urea nitrogen. Creatines levels showed elevation in the group that received iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose, while those administered with Moringa extract had similar effect to the normal saline treatment. Histopathological examinations showed normal kidney and liver architecture in normal saline and Moringa oleifera treatments. Mild renal epithelium degeneration was observed in the iron (III) hydroxide poly-maltose treatment.

Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that both young and old Moringa oleifera leaves may effectively manage anaemia without causing kidney or liver damage.