Protective mechanisms of Moringa oleifera against CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress in precision-cut liver slices

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaves against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-treated liver slices in vitro.

Material and methods: The study evaluated the antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera leaves against CCl(4)-induced oxidative damage in liver slices.

Results: CCl(4) treatment significantly decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase and caused decreased glutathione content and increased the thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS). Treatment with Moringa oleifera extract increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content and reduced the levels of TBARS significantly. Observed reduction in the level of lipid peroxides showed a decreased tendency of peroxidative damage.

Discussion and conclusion: We conclude that, under these experimental conditions, the leaf extracts effectively suppress CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress. Our findings provide evidence to demonstrate that the possible mechanism of this activity may be due to the strong antioxidant property of the leaves.