Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder on Awassi Ewe’s Blood Parameters

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on blood parameters of Awassi ewes. Nine healthy ewes were divided into three groups, and Moringa leaf powder was given orally in concentrations of 0 g (control group), 10 g (T1), and 40 g (T2) two times a week for four weeks. The results showed that the treatment with Moringa leaf powder increased the Red Blood Cell number (RBC) in a time-dependent manner. Specifically, the RBC numbers (million/ml) were 7.68 ±0.26 in the control, 8.69 ±0.27 in T1 and 8.67 ±0.09 in T2 after two weeks of the treatment, and 7.89 ±0.28 in the control, 8.65 ±0.25 in T1, 8.57 ±0.05 in T2 after four weeks. Moreover, treating ewes with 10 g of moringa leaf powder increased significantly the hemoglobin concentration (HGB) and the Hematocrit (HCTP) in comparison to the control animals. HGB concentration (mg/ml) values were 8.56 ±0.20 in the control, 9.86 ±0.37 in T1 9.51 ±0.17 in T2 after two weeks, and 8.56 ±0.20 in the control, 9.86 ±0.37 in T1, 9.51 ±0.17 in T2 after four weeks. While HCTP values (%) were 23.80 ±0.96 in the control, 27.26 ±0.99 in T1, 26.00 ±0.51 in T2 after two weeks, and 23.80 ±0.96 in the control. 27.26 ±0.99 in T1, 26.00 ±0.51 in T2, after four weeks. Interestingly, the biweekly doses of 10 g of the moringa leaf powder, significantly decreased the mean platelet volume (MVP) from 6.60 ±0.21 in the control animals to 6.03 ±0.09 in T1 animals after two weeks, and the monocyte concentration from 9.22 ±0.37 in the control animals to 7.65 ±0.14 in T1 animals. Yet, blood parameters analysis, did not reveal any effects of the moringa treatment on the other analyzed parameters, Corpuscular Volume Test (CVT), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), RDWP, Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW-a), platelet (PLT), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Lymphocyte (%), Granulocyte. (%). In conclusion, the study suggests that treating Awassi ewes with biweekly doses of 10 g of Moringa leaf powder could improve some of the blood parameters, such as RBC, HGB, HCTP. However, more studies are warrant to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage and duration of Moringa treatment.