Abstract

IN VITRO HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA EXTRACT AGAINST ACETAMINOPHEN- INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Shimaa M. Abou-Zeid*, Osama S. El-Tawil and Mahmoud A. Gab Allah

ABSTRACT

The protective effects of Moringa oleifera leave alcoholic extract against the hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen were investigated on isolated rat hepatocytes. One set of hepatocytes was exposed to acetaminophen at a concentration of 7 mM (0.1 mg/ml). Other sets of hepatocytes were preincubated with different concentrations of Moringa oleifera extract (1, 0.1, 0.01 mg/ml) for 30 minutes before exposure to acetaminophen. Cell viability and enzyme (LDH, AST & ALT) leakage were assessed. Oxidative stress was investigated by measuring levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxides. The cytopathological alterations were studied by both light and electron microscopy. In addition, hepatic genotoxicity was studied by COMET assay. Our findings revealed that acetaminophen reduced the hepatocyte viability and increased leakage of LDH, AST and ALT into incubation medium in a time dependent manner. Hepatocytes were subjected to oxidative stress as evidenced by reduction in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration with elevation of levels of lipid peroxides. Light and electron cytopathological alterations of hepatocytes were recorded. COMET results revealed that acetaminophen treated cells showed increasing in tail momentum compared to control cells. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with Moringa oleifera extract resulted in marked protection against the hepatotoxic effect of acetaminophen as indicated by increased cell viability, reduced enzymes leakage, increased GSH concentration, reduced lipid peroxide levels and recovery of most of the normal appearance of hepatocytes. Moreover, the plant extract reduced the DNA damage induced by acetaminophen.

Keywords: acetaminophen, Moringa oleifera, rat.