Moringa oleifera Impairs the Morphology and Functions of the Kidney in Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that Moringa oleifera impairs the morphology and functions of the kidney in rats. Twenty four adult male Wistar rats were employed in the study. Rats of Control Group I received physiological saline while rats of Groups II – IV received 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera respectively for twenty one days. No behavioral anomalies were observed in rats of Groups I – IV. Rats of Control Group I gained statistically significant increased body weight while rats of Groups II – IV experienced non-significant decreased body weight during experimental procedure. (P£0.05). No statistical significant differences (P£0.05) were observed in the analyses of the relative weights of kidneys of rats of Groups I – IV. Histological examinations showed normal cyto-architecture of the kidneys of rats of Group I while the Capsular spaces of the kidneys of rats of Groups II – IV appeared wider than those of Group I. Statistical analyses showed significant higher levels (P£0.05) of Alanine and Aspartate Transaminases, and serum urea in rats of Groups II – IV in a non- dose-dependent manner when compared to rats of Group I. Our findings are consistent with the stated hypothesis.

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Keywords

Moringa oleifera, Toxicity profile, Kidney

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