ETHANOL ROOT EXTRACT

Twenty male wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 5). Group I (control)received dis tilled water, while Groups II, III, and IV received 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of Moringa oleifera extract, respectively, via oral administration for 28 days. Body weights were taken in a weekly schedule, major organs (heart, kidney, liver, lungs and spleen) were harvested, weighed, preserved for histopathological investigations and organ weight index was calculated. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism, with a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. The extract caused continuous body weight gain in all the treatment groups and there were no significant differences between them with the control showing that the metabolic and physiological functioning was preserved. The organ weight index of the liver, kidney, heart, spleen and the lungs were normal and did not show any hypertrophy or atrophy based on the doses. The histopathological examination showed minimal hepatic steatosis in the control group, and moderate steatosis at 600 mg/kg, no necrosis or inflammation. There was normal tissue in the kidneys, heart and spleen. The lungs of the rats treated with 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, however, had diffuse alveolar damage that was characterized by intra-alveolar edema, hyaline membrane deposition, and neutrophilic infiltration which is a phenomenon that indicates dose￾related pulmonary sensitivity. In general, the extract showed relative systemic safety at both low and moderate doses, although the development of diffuse alveolar damage at 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg means that the respiratory risk may occur at higher exposures. More experiments and mechanistic research are ix also advised in order to completely prove the safety of Moringa oleifera root extract in the long term