Leaf extract of Moringa oleifera prevents ionizing radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice

J Med Food. 2011 Oct;14(10):1167-72. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.1506. Epub 2011 Aug 23.

Abstract

The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) against radiation-induced oxidative stress, which is assessed in terms of inflammation and lipid peroxidation. Swiss albino mice were administered MoLE (300 mg/kg of body weight) for 15 consecutive days before exposing them to a single dose of 5 Gy of ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiation. Mice were sacrificed at 4 hours after irradiation. Liver was collected for immunoblotting and biochemical tests for the detection of markers of hepatic oxidative stress. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and lipid peroxidation were augmented, whereas the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values were decreased by radiation exposure. Translocation of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nucleus and lipid peroxidation were found to be inhibited, whereas increases in SOD, CAT, GSH, and FRAP were observed in the mice treated with MoLE prior to irradiation. Therefore pretreatment with MoLE protected against γ-radiation-induced liver damage. The protection may be attributed to the free radical scavenging activity of MoLE, through which it can ameliorate radiation-induced oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Catalase / radiation effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gamma Rays / adverse effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione / radiation effects
  • Lipid Peroxidation / radiation effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / radiation effects
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Moringa oleifera / chemistry*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / radiation effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / radiation effects*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Radiation, Ionizing
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / radiation effects

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Radiation-Protective Agents
  • Catalase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione