الفهرس 
Materials and methods
Animals and dietOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Moringa oleifera is a tropical evergreen tree that has been
used in human and animal nutrition. Extracts made from its leaves
are widely used in homeopathic medicine in Asia. The leaves are
known to be rich in antioxidant compounds. Recently, it has
grown commercially and its therapeutic and protective effect has
become a field of interest for many researchers.
Although, considered safe over the counter analgesic,
paracetamol is the most common cause of acute liver failure.
Unintentional and chronic overdose accounts for 50% of
paracetamol induced acute liver failure. Paracetamol
hepatotoxicity is a significant public health concern that is largely
attributed to paracetamol combined products prescribed by
physicians.
The main objective of this study was to investigate the
possible protective role of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous
extract on paracetamol induced liver injury in adult male albino
rats.
Forty adult male albino rats were used in the current
study. Animals were divided into four equal groups (ten rats
each). group I: control group.
group II: rats were given 500 mg/kg body weight of
Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract by nasogastric tube
for 14 days.
group III: rats were given water by nasogastric tube for 7
days. On the seventh day paracetamol was given by
nasogastric tube in a dose of 400mg/kg body weight for
another seven days.
group IV: rats were given Moringa oleifera leaves
aqueous extract (500mg/kg body weight) by nasogastric
tube for 14 days and Paracetamol (400mg/kg body weight)
by nasogastric tube on the seventh day for 7days.
By the end of the experiment, rats were anaesthetized;
blood was collected and liver samples were taken
Blood samples were processed for measuring liver
function tests (ALT, AST and ALP).
Liver samples were handled and the following sections
were prepared:
A. Paraffin sections were stained by Hematoxylin and
Eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome stain, Periodic Acid
Schiff’s reaction (PAS).
The Masson’s trichrome stained sections and the
PAS stained sections were further subjected to morphometric analysis for measuring the area%
of collagen fibers and area% of PAS positive
granules.
B. Semithin sections for Toluidine blue stain.
C. Ultrathin sections stained for examination by the
transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Liver samples were also subjected to biochemical
analysis to estimate the lipid oxidation marker (Tissue
MDA) and antioxidant enzymes (GSHPx and catalase( .
Statistical analysis was done for all the results of
morphometric and biochemical analysis.
Light and electron microscopic examination of the liver
sections revealed that Moringa oleifera extract administration in
group II didn’t affect hepatic architecture and the hepatocytes.
They were nearly similar to that of the control. This was
confirmed by the liver function tests (ALT, AST and ALP) which
showed no significant difference from the control. Moreover,
there was significant increase in GSHPx and catalase activity,
antioxidant enzymes, and no significant difference of MDA level,
marker for lipid peroxidation, as compared to that of the control.
Paracetamol administration, in group III, resulted in
profound morphological changes of liver tissue. Most of the
hepatocytes appeared swollen with vacuolated cytoplasm.
Cellular infiltration and congestion in central and portal veins were observed. An apparent increase in the number of the lining
cells of bile ductules was also noticed. The area percentage of
collagen fibers was significantly increased as compared to that of
the control, while area percentage of PAS positive granules was
significantly decreased. Electron microscopic examination of the
hepatocytes revealed the presence of vacuoles and fat droplets,
elongated and distorted mitochondria and an apparent decrease of
rough endoplasmic reticulum with an apparent increase of smooth
endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, HSCs in association with
collagen fibrils were frequently seen in between hepatocytes.
Microvilli projecting into the lumen of the bile canaliculi were
apparently shorter and lacking in some sites when compared to
that of the control group. Morphological changes in this study
were verified by biochemical analysis as liver function tests
showed significant increase in ALT, AST and ALP as compared
to that of the control. Tissue GSHPx and Catalase were
significantly decreased. On the other hand, tissue MDA was
significantly increased as compared to that of the control.
In group IV, the administration of Moringa leaf extract
prior to paracetamol led to amelioration of the effects of
paracetamol on the liver. The hepatocytes appeared comparable to
that of the control group. Minimal cellular infiltrations around
portal areas were observed. PAS and Masson’s trichrome stained
sections showed nearly similar findings as compared to that of the control. These findings were confirmed by the electron
microscope examination as hepatocytes and bile canaliculi
appeared nearly similar to that of the control. No collagen fibrils
were observed associating with HSCs which appeared with lipid
droplets in their cytoplasm. Blood liver function tests showed that
enzyme levels were nearly similar to control group. Biochemical
analysis showed restoration of MDA level, GSHPx activity and
catalase activity as compared to that of group III.
Consequently, it was concluded that Moringa oleifera
extracts could protect the structure and function of the liver
against the damaging effects of paracetamol. This
hepatoprotective effect is due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation
and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes.