Effect of Moringa Leaf Powder Supplementation on Some Biochemical Indices of Rats
Asogwa, Ifeyinwa S1, Ani, Jane C, Omah, Esther C
Citation :A. Ifeyinwa S, "Effect of Moringa Leaf Powder Supplementation on Some Biochemical Indices of Rats" International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences 2017,5(9) : 48-58
This study evaluated the effect of moringa leaf powder (MLP) supplementation on some biochemical indices of rats. Twenty one day old male wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. The first group (SOY) was fed with diet supplemented with 25.6% soybean flour, groups two to four were given MLP supplemented diets at 6.4%, 12.8% and 25.6% levels respectively and designated MORC, MORB and MORA. The fifth group (NORM) was fed with normal rat diet. All groups were fed with the diets for 14 days. MORA had the highest body weight gain 30.46g but this was not significantly (p<0.05) different from body weight gain of MORB (29.38g) and NORM (25.02g). Evaluation of the liver function markers, revealed that there were significant (p<0.05) reductions in alkaline phosphastase, direct and total bilirubin levels of the MLP fed rats relative to NORM. No significant (p<0.05) differences were observed among the groups in the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. There were no significant (p<0.05) differences in the lipid profile parameters among the groups. Haematological analysis showed significant (p<0.05) variations with MORA having lower PCV (38.40%) and Hb (13.64g/dl) than NORM. Relative organ weights of the MLP fed rats were not significantly different from NORM expect for the heart weight where that for MORA was (p<0.05) higher than the others. The result of this study shows that Moringa leaf powder could be safe for consumption and possesses some hepatoprotective properties as indicated by decrease in some liver function markers.