To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers first created Moringa peregrina leaf extract from fresh plants that were dried then crushed into a coarse powder. They then acquired 60 female rats that were fed a standard rat chow diet and given water as needed a week prior to the experiment. Once experimentation began, the rats were randomly divided into five groups of 12 animals, which consisted of:
- Group one: The negative control group, which was given water.
- Group two: The positive control group, whose animals received acetaminophen doses.
- Group three: The rats of this group were given Moringa peregrina leaf extract in addition to acetaminophen.
- Group four: This group was administered silymarin along with acetaminophen.
- Group five: On top of acetaminophen, these rats received both silymarin and Moringa peregrina leaf extract.
The four groups were given their appropriate doses after a 24-hour fasting period wherein they drank water when necessary. Administration of acetaminophen, silymarin, and/or Moringa peregrina leaf extract occurred once daily over a period of 28 days. At the experiment's conclusion, all of the groups fasted overnight before having their blood sampled. Afterwards, the rats were euthanized, and the researchers extricated their brains and livers for further analysis.
In order to assess the negative effects of acetaminophen on the liver, the researchers took note of several biomarkers, namely alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Normally measured during liver function tests, elevated levels of these enzymes were utilized as a means of gauging early liver damage in the rats. This was observed in the positive control group; by contrast, the rats which had been given Moringa peregrina leaf extract, silymarin, or both displayed markedly decreased enzyme activity. (Related: Moringa- Reduce inflammation, Blood Sugar Spikes, Protect Liver & Natural Antibiotic.)
On top of this, the researchers noted that these substances had minimized liver DNA damage as well. This was a product of oxidative stress induced by acetaminophen dispensation, while the hepatoprotective effects of both Moringa peregrina leaf extract and silymarin were attributed to their impressive antioxidant content. In particular, Moringa peregrina was found to have a wide array of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, with rutin and 3-OH-tyrosol being the most abundant.
Despite this, the researchers stated that silymarin and Moringa peregrina leaf extract did not have a significant synergistic effect. The team believed this to be caused by the two substances having similar active constituents and the same structure. “Furthermore, there was no summative effect in most of the parameters, and this was consistent with the preliminary studies, preceding this study, where we used a high dose of MPL comparing it to a low dose. Both doses gave nearly the same effect with no significant difference. This result encouraged the use of the low dose in the present study,” they added.
Thus, the researchers stated: “In conclusion, the present data highlights that [Moringa peregrina leaf] is considered to be one of the antioxidants-rich plants which had a significant ameliorative effect on liver function and oxidative stress biomarkers in comparison with silymarin as a reference agent in [acetaminophen]-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.”
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