Ritu Paliwal, Veena Sharma, Pracheta, S.H. Sharma
The importance of Moringa oleifera pods hydroethanolic extract was investigated for its possible hepatoprotective effect in male swiss albino mice against DMBA (synthetic poly aromatic hydrocarbon 7, 12- dimethyl benz(a)anthracene) induced hepatocarcinogenicity and oxidative stress in hepatic tissues. DMBA exposure elicited a significant escalation in TBARS substances level and depletion in antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver. It has been observed that mice treated with MO showed a significant improvement in LPO level along with elevated levels of SOD and CAT activity, which might be the reason for its chemopreventive effect. Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of MO clearly indicate that the extract possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors, acting possibly as primary antioxidants. Finally, these results suggested that M. oleifera pods extract could act against DMBA-induced hepatic injury in mice by a mechanism related to its antioxidant properties and its ability to attenuate the hepatic stellate cells activation. These findings are suggestive of a possible chemopreventive potential of M. oleifera pods extract against chemical carcinogens.
