Moringa oleifera Attenuates Crude Oil Contaminated Diet Induced Biochemical Effects in Wistar Albino Rats

The ability of Moringa oleifera leaves to protect against crude oil-contaminated diet imposed alterations in biochemical parameters of wistar albino rats was investigated. Exposure of rats to crude oil contaminated diet resulted in hepatic injury as evidenced by significant (P<0.05) increase in the activities of serum hepatic enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). Serum urea, creatinine and potassium ion also significantly increased. Moreover, serum sodium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate ions significantly (P<0.05) decreased in rats exposed to crude oil contaminated diet, indicating impaired kidney function. Similarly, exposure of rats to crude oil contaminated diet significantly (P<0.05) increased serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TAG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) but significantly decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) when compared to the control. Moreover, the values of serum total protein, albumin and globulin significantly reduced in rats exposed to crude oil contaminated diet compared with values in rat fed uncontaminated diet. However, supplementing crude oil contaminated diet with Moringa oleifera significantly maintained serum levels of hepatic enzymes, urea, creatinine and electrolytes close to values obtained in control rats and significantly improved lipid profile and serum proteins. Rats fed Moringa oleifera treated diets exhibited reduced TC, TAG and LDL and a higher HDL compared to rats fed with crude oil contaminated diet. Besides, rats fed Moringa oleifera treated diet had significantly higher total protein, albumin and globulin as compared with rats fed crude oil contaminated diet. Thus, this study exhibits the protective effect of Moringa oleifera supplemented diet against the adverse biochemical effects that were mediated by crude oil.