Moringa oleifera -based diet protects against nickel-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Multiple health-promoting effects have been attributed to the consumption ofMoringa oleiferaleaves, as part ofdiet without adequate scientific credence. This study evaluated the effect ofM. oleifera-based diets on nickel (Ni) -induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male rats assigned into six groups were given oral administration of 20 mg/kg bodyweight nickel sulfate in normal saline and either fed normal diet orM. oleifera-based diets for 21 days. All animalswere sacrificed under anesthesia 24 hours after the last treatment. Ni exposure elevated the rat plasma activities ofalanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase significantly. Ni exposure also raised the levelsof triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while depleting the high-density lipoproteincholesterol concentration. Further, Ni exposure raised rat plasma malondialdehyde but depleted reduced glutathioneconcentrations. The histopathological presentations revealed inflammation and cellular degeneration caused by Niexposure. We show evidence thatM. oleifera-based diets protected against Ni-induced hepatotoxicity by improvingthe rat liver function indices, lipid profile as well as restoring cellular architecture and integrity. Study lends credenceto the health-promoting value ofM. oleiferaas well as underscores its potential to attenuate hepatic injury.