THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF WISTAR RATS FED Moringa oleifera LEAF MEAL DIETS

Abstract

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a tropical herbal plant with several variety of ethnomedicinal values. The plant leaves, seeds, roots constituent numerous medicinal, biological, nutritional and phytochemical properties used pharmaceutically in traditional medicine. The medicinal properties of MO include cholesterol lowering, immune booster, blood sugar regulator, antioxidant activities. The study tested the hypothesis that supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal will alter the performance of Wistar rats. A total of forty-eight (48) Wistar rats (both males and females, initial body weight = 150g; age = 90 days old) were used for the 12-week feeding trial. The animals were housed individually (14 x 14 x 15 cm) in a hutch and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n=12/group). The Wistar rats were supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal diets at an inclusion rate (0, 2, 3, 4g/kg) per diet. Performance was monitored and recorded. At the end of feeding trials, performance was analysed. Inclusion of varying levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in Wistar rat diets increased (p<0.05) daily weight gain, weight gain, daily feed intake, feed intake, feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio in males when compared to females. However, the daily feed intake, feed intake, feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio (p>0.05) were not affected among gender and diet interactions. It was concluded that inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal as feed supplement at 4% inclusion level improved the physiological responses in Wistar rat diets with no adverse effects on their performance. Therefore, we recommend the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal within the levels of 4g/kg as daily intake in Wistar rats’ ration