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Objective: The ameliorative effect of Annona muricata in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in laboratory rats was evaluated. Methods: Thirty albino rats were used and were divided into five of six rats per group. The first (control) group was given distilled water (2 ml/kg) for seven days, while the second (toxicant or glycerol alone) group was given only glycerol (10 ml/kg) on day 8. The third, fourth, and fifth groups received methanol leaf extract of Annona muricata (100 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg dose of the extract, and enalapril (10 mg/kg) respectively for seven days, and on day eight all received glycerol (10 ml/kg). Serum chemistry, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and changes in blood pressure were indices of toxicity. Results: In the toxicant group, blood pressure increased significantly (p

The anti-diabetic property of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera was performed in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats using serum chemistry, histology and immunochemical parameters as indices of diabetes. The blood glucose level of the diabetic untreated group continues to increase while that of the treated group after 21 days decreased. While the animals in the diabetic untreated group experienced increase in the levels of markers of organ damage when compared to the control group (P values < 0.0001). ALT increased from 61.83±1.5 to 96.1±22.4, AST was 225.1±26.6 from 172.6±13.9, ALP 13.5±0.006 to 13.6±0.002, UREA 1.0±0.08 to 3.0±0.4, their reduction was observed in the extract-treated groups. ALT reduced from 96.1±22.4 to 73.70±9.7; AST from 225.1±26.6 to 184.4±18.2; ALP from 13.6±0.002 to 13.6±0.01; UREA from 3.0±0.4 to 2.0±0.4. Treatment with the extract significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress in the kidney [hydrogen peroxide (898.8±6.26 to 688.0±13.7), malondialdehyde (640±0.1 to 600±0.2) and protein carbonyl (548.4±1.5 to 458.1±1.6)]; heart [hydrogen peroxide (389.4±1.8 to 358.2±1.5), malondialdehyde (264.0±0.5 to 122.0±0.3), protein carbonyl (196.8±0.5 to 162.7±3.5)]; and liver [hydrogen peroxide (119.36±3.2 to 103.94±10.7), malondialdehyde (236.0±0.4 to 73.0±0.2), protein carbonyl (269.3±1.0 to 174.2±1.1) respectively. The levels of antioxidants were reduced in the diabetic untreated group but there was increase in the Moringa treated group. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) was down regulated in the diabetic untreated group while it was well expressed in the treated groups. The histology of pancreas and liver showed varied levels of infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion and necrotic lesions, but these were mild in the treated groups. The result shows that the extract does have an anti-diabetic effect with the decrease in the levels of blood glucose and markers of oxidative stress as well as increase in the amount of antioxidants in the treated group when compared to the diabetic untreated group. More importantly, the extract caused upregulation of GLUT 4, which is relevant in reversing insulin resistance in the same manner as pioglitazone, the standard antidiabetic agent used in this study.

Moringa oleifera popularly referred to as wonder plant is a medicinal plant with a remarkable variety of therapeutic purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera on glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats thus renewing interest in the development of new treatment plans. Glycerol (50% v/v in sterile saline, intramuscular) was used to induce acute kidney injury. Group A (control group) received distilled water only, the group B animals (toxicant group) received glycerol alone on the 8th day, and groups C and D animals were given 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera respectively for seven days and glycerol on the 8th day. Group E animals on the other hand received 100 mg/kg of methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera alone for seven days and on day 8 received normal saline. To assess renal damage and possible ameliorative effects of the extract, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, myeloperoxidase, advanced oxidative products, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and protein carbonyl were determined. Histopathological analysis of kidney tissues and immunohistochemical analysis of KIM-1 and NF-ҝB expressions were also carried out on kidney tissues. The results showed that methanol stem bark extract of Moringa oleifera improves glycerol-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and renal damage by modulating KIM-1 and NF-ҝB signaling pathways. In conclusion, the methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera blunts glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.