Therapeutic potential of moringa oleifera root extract in attenuation of beryllium induced oxidative stress, biochemical alterations and histopathological lesions in rat

Moringa oleifera root extract was screened to encounter the characteristic biochemical and histopathological alterations followed by subchronic exposure to beryllium. Female albino rats were administered beryllium nitrate at doses of 1mg/kg i.p. once a day for 35 consecutive days followed by treatment of different doses of Moringa oleifera (50,100,150 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) for 7 consecutive days. Administration of beryllium nitrate induced oxidative stress resulting in elevation of lipid peroxidation, reduction in reduced glutathione with decrease in the activities of superoxide-dismutase and catalase in liver and kidney. Beryllium nitrate significantly elevated leakage of serum alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), urea, bilirubin and creatinine whereas hemoglobin and blood sugar were decreased. A significant fall was observed in activitities of alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase in liver and kidney; glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen in liver due to beryllium intoxication. Beryllium also disturbed the histoarchitecture of liver and kidney. The different doses of Moringa oleifera root extract reversed the alterations of all the variables more towards the control at biochemical as well as histopathological level. It was concluded that dose of 150 mg/kg of Moringa oleifera was found to be most effective in attenuating beryllium induced oxidative stress, biochemical and histopathological alterations