POLYPHENOL-RICH LEAF EXTRACT OF Moringa oleifera Lam. ATTENUATES NEPHROTOXOCITY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE (CCl4)-TREATED ALBINO RATS

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of polyphenol-rich leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (PRE-M. o) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced nephrotoxic rats. Thirty-six (36) male albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Groups one to six received 1mL/kg olive oil (normal group), 1mL/kg CCl₄ (toxicity control group), N-acetyl cysteine with 1mL/kg CCl₄, 50mg/kg PRE-M. o with 1mL/kg CCl₄, 100mg/kg PRE-M. o with 1mL/kg CCl₄ and 250mg/kg PRE-M. o with 1mL/kg CCl₄. PRE-M o was administered orally, once daily for seven days while CCl₄ prepared in olive oil was administered intraperitoneally on day seven. Twenty-four hours after, animals were sacrificed and Kidneys were dissected for histology, kidney homogenates were prepared and blood samples were collected for biochemical and antioxidant parameters. Effects were investigated using biochemical indices of renal function and oxidative stress. Total phenol, which was quantified in the extract and expressed as mgGAE/g increased with increasing concentrations of the extract. CCl₄ caused a significant increase in serum creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations as well as a significant decrease in total protein and albumin. Malondialdehyde increased while Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased significantly in the CCl₄-treated rats. Histopathological study revealed altered glomerular and tubular architecture with noticeable interstitial haemorrhage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in kidney of rats exposed to CCL₄. Treatment with PRE-M. o was able to significantly revert all altered parameters which showed that PRE-M. o can restore altered kidney function and ameliorate oxidative stress.