Protective and Therapeutic Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on DNA Damage, Cytogenetic Changes, Sperm Abnormalities and High Level of MDA Induced by CCL4 in Rats

The present study was investigated to evaluate the protective and therapeutic role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) against CCL4-induced toxicity in rats . Male Albino rats of eleven groups (eight animals each) were used in this study : negative control ; control of olive oil ; positive control received CCL4 in olive oil for 12 weeks ; groups 4-7 received CCl4 in olive oil + MOLE at doses 1.3, 2.0, 2.6 and 4.0 gm /kg (used as a protective agent ) for 12weeks . Groups 8-11 received MOLE alone (used as a therapeutic agent ) for 3 weeks after cessation of CCL4 (12 weeks) treatment . DNA damage and level of Melanodialdehyde ( MDA) in liver tissue , as well as cytogenetic changes ( frequency of micronuclei and chromosome aberrations ) in bone marrow cells and sperm abnormalities were analyzed . The calculation of DNA fragmentation using spectrophotometer and analysis of genomic DNA by fractionation on agarose gel were used to assay the DNA damage . The results showed that the CCL4 treatment caused significant induction of genetic aberrations (DNA damage , micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes and chromosome aberrations ) and sperm abnormalities as well as significant elevation of MDA level was observed as compared to control . MOLE treatment (as a protective or therapeutic agent ) resulted in significant reduction of genetic aberrations, sperm abnormalities and the level of MDA , in contrast to alterations in all these parameters in rats received CCL4 alone .These results were dose dependent . But better results were obtained by using MOLE as therapeutic agent especially the treatment with the highest dose 4.0 gm / kg., where the percentages of DNA fragmentation , micronuclei , chromosome aberrations and sperm abnormalities and MDA level reverted to near normal . In conclusion , the present investigation is important in presenting data suggesting considerable promise for Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract as a therapeutic agent in CCL4 induced oxidative stress in the rats .