Moringa can alleviate acetaminophen-induced oxidative damage

A study published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines showed that moringa (Moringa peregrina) protects the liver from oxidative damage caused by acetaminophen. This was determined by researchers from the National Organization For Drug & Control Research in Egypt through an in vivo study in rats.

• Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter painkiller and antipyretic drug that is known for causing fatal liver necrosis and failure when taken in excessive amounts. Previous studies have shown that the mechanisms through which this drug induces liver injury include the induction of cytochrome P450 isoforms, depletion of intracellular glutathione, and oxidative stress.
• Plants are great sources of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants that can protect against oxidative damage, which means that they have potential therapeutic uses for treating drug-induced liver damage.
• Moringa, which grows in the eastern desert mountains of Egypt, was shown to contain numerous phytochemicals with hypoglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. In vivo studies have also shown that moringa leaves have antioxidant activity.
• Prior to this study, there were no reports regarding the hepatoprotective potential of moringa leaves so the researchers proceeded to evaluate both antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities on female albino rats with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
• Results showed that acetaminophen led to an increase in serum liver enzymes and caused oxidative stress. Meanwhile, treatment with extracts from moringa leaves reversed these toxic effects through its antioxidant activity.

From these results, the researchers concluded that moringa leaves can improve oxidative damage caused by acetaminophen on the liver. This was possible due to the antioxidant potential of moringa.

The full text of the study is available at this link.

Read more articles about the various health benefits of moringa by visiting Superfoods.news.

Journal Reference:

Azim SAA, Abdelrahem MT, Said MM, Khattab A. PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MORINGA PEREGRINA LEAVES EXTRACT ON ACETAMINOPHEN – INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative medicines. 2017;14(2). DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i2.22