Role of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract Against Cadmium in Mice

Layla Safar AL Otaibi

The present work was designed to study the possible protective effect of M. oleifera Lam. leaves extract against the toxicity of cadmium acetates on serum biochemical parameters and histology of liver and kidney in rats. On studying the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were increased after treatment with M. oleifera, cadmium when compared with control group. The levels of the enzymes AST, ALT and ALP activities were increased after administration of cadmium and then decreased approximately to the control level when administering leaves extract of M. oleifera to rats administered cadmium. The results of the histopathological examination, after administration of cadmium in the present study revealed some changes in the hepatocytes like cytoplasmic vacuolation with pyknotic nuclei. In some cells, there were aggregation of chromatin materials inside nuclear envelope and some cells showed degeneration and necrosis. Also, the central vein appeared engorged with blood, hepatocytes appear to be swollen, dilatation and congestion of central vein, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, distorted ‘lobular’ architecture of liver parenchyma also seen. Histopathological studies in the liver of rats treated with cadmium clearly indicated an extensive liver parenchymal damage like swollen hepatocytes, congested and dilated central vein and Kupffer cell hyperplasia. Examination of kidney in rats treated with cadmium, showed aggregation of hemolytic blood cells in between tubules, and beginning of cellular damage that include pyknosis of some nuclei. Also, there was congestion in some blood vessels, which appeared engorged with blood cells. In some sections found cytoplasmic vacuolation and appearance of tubular cast, and some tubules showed necrotic cells with pyknotic nuclei. In some tubules, there were swollen cells, which appeared with cytoplasmic vacuolation.Histological examination of kidneys of rats received lead showed severe changes in proximal and distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules, thick limb of Henle’s loop which represented by appearance of vacuolation of the cells, and there were necrotic cells with pyknotic nuclei. Blood vessel in between the tubules and the loops of Henle appeared engorged with blood and appearance of many necrotic cells. There was a significant improvement in the histopathology of the liver and kidney in rats treated with M. oleifera + cadmium . Hepatocytes appear to be little swollen, mild distortion of ‘Lobular’ architecture of liver parenchyma, mild widening of sinusoidal spaces observed in M. oleifera + cadmium treated group. Hence, it could be concluded that cadmium is toxic heavy metals, whichaffects the serum biochemical profile and causes degenerative histopathological changes in rat liver and kidney. Simultaneous treatment with leaves extracts of M. oleifera partially improved the hepatocellular damages induced by cadmium.