Title of article :
Prophylactic Role of Moringa oleifera Leaves’ Extract against Lead Toxicity in Rabbits
Author/Authors :
Mohamed, Nancy B. Directorate of Veterinary Medicine, Nasr El Din, El-Haram, Giza, Egypt , Mohamed, Amira H. Department of Clinical Pathology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Cairo University, Giza, Egypt , Abu-Aita, Nashwa A. Department of Clinical Pathology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Cairo University, Giza, Egypt , Nasr, Soad M. Department of Parasitology & Animal Diseases - National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt , Nassar, Somia A. Department of Parasitology & Animal Diseases - National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt , Ahmed, Kawkab A. Department of Pathology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Abstract :
An experiment was carried out to evaluate Moringa oleifera leaves ethanol extract (MOLEE) as a prophylactic
treatment of lead acetate-induced toxicity in rabbits. Serum biochemical parameters, oxidant/antioxidant markers, and
histopathology of liver and kidney were determined. The effect of long-term MOLEE treatment was also evaluated.
Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups: normal control group;
MOLEE-treated group, administered MOLEE (orally, 400 mg kg-1day-1) for successive 12 weeks; lead-intoxicated
group, administered lead acetate (orally, 40 mg kg-1day-1) for successive 8 weeks; and MOLEE-lead-intoxicated group,
administered MOLEE (orally, 400 mg kg-1day-1) for successive 12 weeks simultaneously with lead acetate (orally, 40
mg kg-1day-1) for successive 8 weeks. The results revealed that MOLEE treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased body
gain and impacted positively on lipid profile, glucose, liver, and renal functions. On the other hand, administration of
lead acetate caused marked (P<0.05) drop in body weight gain and elevated the activities of AST, ALT, and ALP and
the levels of urea and creatinine, lipid profile, and lipid peroxidation as well as histopathological changes in the liver
and kidneys. After 4 weeks of treatment, MOLEE-lead-intoxicated rabbits showed slight cytoplasmic vacuolization
of hepatocytes and slight congestion of glomerular tuft, while vacuolation of epithelial lining renal tubules was noticed
in kidneys of the lead-intoxicated group. In conclusion, prophylactic use of MOLEE has the ability to mitigate the
alterations of serum biochemical parameters and histopathological architecture of liver and kidneys caused by lead
acetate after 4 weeks from the start of treatment. Results of the present experiment revealed that Moringa oleifera has
a curing effect on lead toxicity; nevertheless, further studies are required to determine the safety of prolonged use of
Moringa oleifera.
Keywords :
Lead acetate , Moringa oleifera , Serum biochemistry , Histopathology , Rabbits
Journal title :
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
