Evaluation of the Hepatoprotective Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil on Ccl4-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Albino Rats

--------------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT------------------------------------------------------Studies have shown that certain parts of Moringa oleifera Lam plant, such as its leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds possess antihepatotoxic activity. Also in recent times, there has been a surge in local demand for Moringa seed oil, largely due to its reportedly high medicinal potential. The study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective activity of Moringa seed oil against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Using the intragastric tube, Moringa seed oil (2mL/kg body weight) was administered orally on the CCl4-intoxicated Wistar rats. Antihepatotoxic effects of Moringa seed oil was evaluated by assaying for the activities of liver marker enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) (EC 2.6.1.2), aspartate transaminase (AST) (EC 2.6.1.1), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (EC 3.1.3.1) in serum. Histopathology of liver sections was also examined. Substantially elevated serum activities of hepatic marker enzymes (ALT: 123.7±1.05 U/l and AST: 133.30±5.95 U/l) in CCl4-intoxicated rats were significantly (p<0.05) lowered towards control values (ALT: 64.33±11.90 and AST: 106.00±17.72) by the administration of Moringa seed oil. The histopathological appearances also clearly supported the biochemical findings. Results strongly indicated that Moringa seed oil possesses remarkable hepatoprotective potential underlining its ability to reverse CCl4-induced liver injury in the experimental animals.