Studies on comparative assessment of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of moringa olifera and camellia sinensis in rats

Abstract

This study investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Moringa oleifera and Camellia sinensis in female Wistar albino rats subjected to paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Forty rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=8). Group I served as the normal control and received oral saline. Group II was administered paracetamol (600 mg/kg/day) for three days to induce hepatic injury. Group III received silymarin (200 mg/kg/day) as a standard hepatoprotective agent. Groups IV and V were treated with Moringa oleifera (250 mg/kg/day) and Camellia sinensis (8.5 mg/kg/day) extracts, respectively, following paracetamol induction. Body weight was monitored weekly, and blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. Liver and kidney tissues were harvested post-sacrifice for gross and histopathological evaluation. Group II showed significant body weight loss, elevated hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), increased lipid peroxidation (MDA), and reduced antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, GSH), indicating oxidative stress and hepatic damage. Histopathology revealed centrilobular necrosis, sinusoidal dilation, inflammatory infiltration in liver, and glomerular and tubular degeneration in kidneys. Treatment with Moringa oleifera (Group IV) significantly restored antioxidant levels, improved biochemical parameters, and preserved hepatic and renal architecture. Camellia sinensis (Group V) also showed protective effects, though less pronounced. Silymarin (Group III) demonstrated near-complete restoration of hepatic function and structure. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera exhibits superior hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity compared to Camellia sinensis, and both extracts show promise as natural therapeutic agents against drug-induced liver injury.