Moringa oleifera leaves ethanolic extract counteracts cortical neurodegeneration induced by aluminum chloride in rats

Toxicol Res (Camb). 2024 Mar 5;13(2):tfae028. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfae028. eCollection 2024 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aluminum, a well-recognized neurotoxin, is implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), known as a miracle tree, is utilized as a functional food and nutritional supplement. This study investigates the potential preventive effects of M. oleifera extract on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced cortical neurodegeneration in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therefore, 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four distinct groups: negative control, M. oleifera extract (MOE), AlCl3, and AlCl3 + MOE. Treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Cognitive performance, brain oxidative/nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptotic-cell death, and associated histopathological alterations were assessed.

RESULTS: Our results showed that MOE improved spatial learning and memory, enhanced antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, antagonized nitrosative stress, reduced inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6), decreased caspase-3, increased Bcl-2, and facilitated repair of cortical and hippocampal structures.

CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that MOE exhibits protective effects against cortical neurodegeneration, making it a promising supplement to counteract aluminum-induced neurotoxic effects.

PMID:38455639 | PMC:PMC10917235 | DOI:10.1093/toxres/tfae028