here are a number of stressors which adversely affects the normal homeostasis of the body. One of them is heat stress which has marked damaging effect on the normal physiology of an individual. Moringa oleifera is a versatile plant from Moringaceae family. Moringa oleifera is a best food plant but it also has a large potential as a medicinal plant. Due to rich source of flavonoids, Beta- carotenes, vitamin A & D, Moringa oleifera is known as a best natural anti-oxidant. The leaves of Moringa oleifera also possess hepato-protective and renal protective activities due to its rich anti-oxidant potential.
Hypothesis:It was hypothesized that Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation will ameliorate the redox status, hepatic and kidney function in rats exposed to heat stress.
Methodology: Adult male wistar rats (n= 24) were procured and housed in stainless steel cages in the experimental animal shed of department of Physiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-Pakistan. After acclimatization, rats were divided in to four groups (One control and 3 MOLP treated groups). Rats were exposed to high environmental temperature (37±1°C ) for one hour daily(12.00 PM-1.00 PM) throughout the experimental period of 21 days for the induction of heat stress(Sinha. 2007). Anti-stress properties of Moringa oleifera leaf powderwere examined by measuring biochemical parameters, i.e. redox by estimating serum malondialdehyde through assay used by(Ohkawa et al. 1979) and catalase by the same spectrophotometric protocol in accordance with the study (Hadwan et al. 2016). Analysis of liver function enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase), kidney function (Blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and serum creatinine), serum
Summary
38
glucose and lactate dehydrogenasewere carried out by using commercially available kits provided by Human Diagnostics, Germany.
Results:The present study revealed that Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation during heat stress has a significant effect (P<0.05) on serum redox status. Serum malondialdehyde and catalase were significantly reduced by Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation. On the other hand, Moringa oleifera leaf powder demonstrated a non-significant effect (P>0.05) on hepatic and kidney function. Serum Glucose was also not altered by powdered leaf supplementation of Moringa oleifera.
Statistical analysis: The data was analyzed by using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software. The group differences were compared by the Tukey’s Test. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05.
Conclusion: From this study, it was concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) has a potent antioxidant potential without any marked ameliorative or deteriorative effect on hepatic and kidney functioning in heat stressed rats. Further studies are required to explore the potential of other portions of this plant in heat stress.