Abstract

Josephine. N. Kasolo *, Gabriel. S. Bimenya , Lonzi Ojok and Jasper W. Ogwal-Okeng

This study is set out to establish the sub-acute toxicity profile of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves in Swiss Albino rats. M. oleifera leaves contain important phytochemicals, such as gallic tannins, catechol tannins, steroids and triterponoids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids and reducing sugars. It also contains proteins, vitamins, beta-carotene and amino acids. When they are taken in large quantities can cause adverse effects in rats. Many families worldwide consume the leaves over varying periods of time, without knowing the possibility of causing organ toxicity. This laboratory based study had M. oleifera leaves harvested during dry season, air dried and pulverized. Serial extraction was done using ether, ethanol and water as solvents. The control group received no extract, but 16.1, 8.05, 4.02, 2.01 g/kg of aqueous extract and 39.8, 19.9, 9.95, 4.97 g/kg of ethanol extracts; were given in a single daily oral dose to groups of 5 male and 5 female Swiss Albino rats for 30 days. On the last day, blood was taken for hematological and biochemical analysis. The liver, kidney, and heart tissues had histopathology examination done under light microscope. All aqueous extract groups had a significant increase (p<0.002) in the mean of total white blood cells, Cl- , K + and Ca++ , alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum bilirubin while histopathology analysis showed mild features of hepatitis, glumerulonephritis and myocarditis. The ethanol extract values were close to the control group. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract given to rats orally in a single lethal dose of full LD50 for 30 days is associated with mild organ toxicity. However the ethanol extract showed no features of organ toxicity.