Abubakar & Saleh, J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2025) 4:1
Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Mercury chloride, Liver enzymes, Hepatopathological, Wister rats
Background: Mercury is a well-known environmental pollutant that induces severe hepatic toxicity. This study evaluated the protective effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract on mercuric chloride-induced structural and biochemical alterations in the liver of Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-five rats (90–170 g) were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 5): Group I (control), Group II (0.5 mg/kg mercury chloride), Group III (500 mg/kg Moringa extract), Group IV (500 mg/kg Moringa + 0.5 mg/kg mercury chloride), and Group V (750 mg/kg Moringa + 0.5 mg/kg mercury chloride). Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis at the end of the study. Results: Mercuric chloride exposure significantly elevated serum liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, ALP) and caused histopathological damage, including sinusoidal dilatation, fibrosis, and lymphocyte infiltration. Co-administration with Moringa oleifera extract mitigated these effects in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by reduced enzyme activity and preservation of liver architecture. The differences observed were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract exhibits hepatoprotective properties against mercury-induced toxicity, potentially through antioxidant mechanisms.