Ameliorating Effect of Gamma-irradiated Moringa Leaves Against Arsenic-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Liver

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gamma (gamma)-irradiation on the microbiological quality and phenolic components of dried Moringa oleifera leaves (ML) powder and to compare the effect of raw and gamma-irradiated ML against arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity. The results of the present study showed that gamma irradiation of ML improved its microbiological quality and increased the percentage of phenolic compound kaempferol. The results also revealed that male albino rats fed on a diet containing sodium arsenite NaAsO2 (200mg/kg) for 6 weeks displayed increased activities of serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and transaminases and increased malondialdehyde level and xanthine oxidase activity concomitant with a decrease in glutathione level and xanthine dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The addition of ML (200mg/kg) either gamma-irradiated or not to the diet of rats has significantly ameliorated the alteration in the antioxidant/oxidant status and improving liver function enzymes. It is concluded that ML modulates hepatic toxicity associated with oxidative stress and the gamma-irradiation of ML increased its hygienic quality without a significant loss in its quality attributes.