International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2014 1 ISSN 2250-3153 www.ijsrp.org Hepatoprotective Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract on Mercury Induced Renotoxicity in Adult Wistar Rats * Ezejindu D. N., *Akingboye A. J., ** Ezejindu C. N. * Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. ** Department of Microbiology, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. Abstract- Moringa oleifera leaf extract has been reported after analysis of its phytochemical constituents to have natural antioxidants that aid in natural defence. The hepatoprotective evaluation of leaf extract of moringe oleifera on mercury induced renotoxicity was studied. Twenty four healthy adult wistar rats weighing between 190-270g were grouped into four groups (A, B, C & D) of six animals each. Group A served as the control and were orally administered with 0.5ml of distilled water; the experimental groups (B, C & D) received the following: Group B received 0.5ml of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, group C received 0.3ml of mercury while group D received 0.3ml of mercury + 0.5ml of Moringa oleifera leaf extract orally for twenty eight days. The animals were weighed after the last administration and sacrificed. Kidney tissues were removed, weighed and trimmed down for histological studies. There was weight gain in group B and D relative to the control while group C had a reduction in weight. Histological results showed normal cytoarchitecture of the kidney tissues of group B and D relative to the control A while group C animals had distortion of cytoarchitecture of kidney tissues. Index Terms- Wistar rats, Kidney weight, Body weight, Renotoxicity, Kidneys. I. INTRODUCTION oringa oleifera is a fast growing evergreen deciduous tree. It can reach a height of 10-12m [1] and the trunk can reach a diameter of 4.5cm [2].The Moringa tree is grown mainly in semiarid, tropical and subtropical areas. It is grown in home gardens and as living fences in southern India and Thailand where it is commonly sold in local markets [3]. In the philipines, it is commonly grown for its leaves which are used in soup. Moringa is also actively cultivated by the world Vegetable center in Taiwan with a mission to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improves production and consumption of vegetables [4]. In some regions, the young seed pods are most commonly eaten [5] while in others, the leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant [6].The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being significance source of B-vitamins, vitaminC, provitaminA, vitaminK,manganese and protein among other nutrients [7]. When compared with common food particularly high in certain nutrient per 100g fresh weight, cooked Moringa leaves are considered source of these same nutrients [8, 9]. Moringa oleifera tree have been used to combact malnutrition especially among infant and nursing mothers [10]. The nutritional properties of Moringa oleifera are now so well known that there seems to be a little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in a situation where starvation is imminent [11]. Therefore, there is need to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extrct on mercury induced renotoxicity in adult wistar rats. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Procurement of plant Moringa oleifera leafs were plugged from Nibo in Awka South Anambra State. It was authenticated in the department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka. 2.2 Drug Preparation Fresh leafs of Moringa oleifera were plugged, shade dried and grinded into powder weighing 700g before extraction. The powder was macerated into absolute alcohol at room temperature. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and later evaporated in a water bath using evaporating dish at 45 . 2.3 Experimental Protocol Twenty adult wistar rats weighing between 190-270g were procured for the study. The animals were allowed to acclimatize to the laboratory environments in the department of Anatomy for two weeks and were fed ad libitum with guine feed and water. The animals were grouped into four groups (A, B, C & D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and were orally administered with 0.5ml of distilled water; the experimental groups (B, C & D) were orally administered with different doses of drugs as follows: group B received 0.5m of Moringa oleifera leaf extract; group C received 0.3ml of mercury plus 0.5ml of Moringa oleifera leaf extract. The administration lasted for twenty eight days using intubation method. The animals were weighed after last administration and anaesthetized under chloroform vapour and dissected. Kidney tissues were removed, weighed, and trimmed down for histological studies. 2.4 Tissue Processing The tissues were processed through process of fixation, dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, sectioning and staining. Fixation was carried out in zenkers fliud. The tissues M