COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA AND ASCORBIC ACID ON BODY WEIGHT CHANGES INDUCED BY SUBCHRONIC LEAD EXPOSURE IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

This work was aimed at assessing the effect of Moringa oleifera and Ascorbic acid on subchronic lead exposure in male Wistar rats. Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were grouped into 6 groups comprising of 3 rats each. Group 1 was administered distilled water (DW) (2 ml/kg), group 2 was given lead only (Pb) (190 mg/kg), group 3 was administered lead and ascorbic acid (PbAA) (190 mg/kg +100 mg/kg, respectively), group 4 was dosed lead and Moringa oleifera (PbMO) (190 mg/kg+500 mg/kg, respectively), in addition, group 5 was dosed with a combination of lead with ascorbic acid and Moringa oleifera (PbAAMO) (190 mg/kg+100 mg/kg+500 mg/kg, respectively) while group 6 received lead with ascorbic acid and low dose Moringa oleifera (PbLAMO) (190 mg/kg+50 mg/kg+250 mg/kg, respectively). Treatment was given through oral route once daily. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks and
the bodyweight of the animals was taken at the end of every week. Result of the study showed a decrease
in body weight of animals in the Pb group compared with other groups. Comparably, improvement in the
body deficits was recorded in the group treated with a combination of ascorbic acid and Moringa oleifera.
The improvement in body weight may likely be due to their antioxidant effects. It is therefore recommended that ascorbic acid and Moringa oleifera should be used in ameliorating the toxic effects of lead.