Reversal Effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine on <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Leaves-Induced Sub-Acute Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats

Background: M. oleifera is a highly valued medicinal plant used widely from time immemorial to treat various ailments. However, with continued un-standardized use of the plant leaves, studies have reported organ toxicity to the liver, kidney and the heart. As communities continue to use M. oleifera leaves for its medicinal and nutritional values, there is need to find an antidote for its hepatotoxicity. Aim: The study established the reversal effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) on M. oleifera aqueous leaf extract-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty-four (24) rats received a toxic dose (8.05 g/kg bwt) of M. oleifera leaf extract for 28 days to cause sub-acute hepatotoxicity. They were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received 1 ml normal (control group), Group II received 1000 ng/kg NAC, Group III received 1200 mg/kg NAC and Group IV received 1500 mg/kg NAC. Another group of 6 rats (Group V) received 0.75 mg/kg Paracetamol to cause hepatotoxicity. Group V (a positive control) received the prescribed clinical dose of 1200 mg/kg NAC which reverses the hepatotoxicity. All the NAC doses were given once a day intragastric for 7 days. On days: 1, 3 and 7 of receiving NAC, liver serum enzymes and bilirubin were measured. On day 7 the animals were sacrificed and liver tissue harvested for histopathology analysis. Results: A dose of 8.05 g/kg of M. oleifera leaf extract and 0.75 mg/kg Paracetamol were able to induce hepatotoxicity in Wister albino rats in 28 days. The M. oleifera extract induced hepatotoxic rats treated with NAC at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg, had a reduction in mean serum liver enzymes, plus reduced mean serum bilirubin levels. The liver histopathological analysis showed reduced inflammation after treatment with NAC for 3 and 7 days in the M. oleifera and paracetamol induced hepatotoxic rats. Conclusion: NAC can reverse M. oleifera leaf aqueous extract-induced sub-acute hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino rats.