Phytochemical and Neurotoxicity Evaluation of Methanolic Leaf-Extract of Moringa oleifera

Abstract

Objective: As a plant with a host of medicinal properties used for treating various ailments, the research set out to investigate the neurotoxic effect of methanol leaf-extract of Moringa oleifera, as well as explore its phytochemical constituents. The amphiphylic property of methanol as a solvent was exploited to extract non-polar and medium polar phytoconstituents. Methods: Forty (40) male Swiss white mice were randomly grouped into four (n=10 per group). The control animals receive normal saline (p.o.) while two other groups received low dose (500mg/kg) and high dose (2500mg/kg) of the leaf-extract of M. oleifera for 21 days. The forth group received a low dose (500mg/kg) of the extract thirty minutes before the animals were sacrificed for histological studies. Results: The phytochemical screening and quantitative analysis showed that the methanol leaf-extract of M. oleifera contains alkaloids (1.80±0.2%), glycosides (1.37±0.1%), saponins (1.47±0.3%), tannins (0.48±0.01%), flavonoids (8.23±0.2%), polyphenols (20.47±0.3%) and reducing compounds (7.05±1.0%). Acute toxicity evaluation using Lorke's method showed the LD50 to be 5,477.226mg/kg. Histopathological evaluation shows no toxicity at 2500mg/kg in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex and the cerebellum. Conclusion: The methanol leaf-extract of M. oleifera has no neurotoxic effect even at high doses; and so, it very safe for use in the treatment regimes.

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“…In the present study, only LD50 of aqueous root extract of M. oleifera was determined, and the result was suggestive of a high toxicity at 1264.91 mg/kg b.w. Previously, Bisong et al (2019) and Kadam and Gaykar (2017) reported the LD50s of methanol-and -diethyl-ether root extracts of M. oleifera to be greater than 5000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively.…”

“…Potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and D, vital amino acids, antioxidants including beta-carotene, vitamin C, and flavonoids have all been shown to be abundant in this plant's leaves (Abd-alwahab, 2018). Alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, and steroids are additional antinutrients that were found (Bisong et al, 2019). Zeatin, quercetin, β-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid, and kaempferol are abundantly and commonly found in the Moringa plant (Milla et al, 2021).…”

Moringa oleifera (Lam) Root Extracts Elevate Catecholamine Levels in Experimental Rats: Potential Role of Ethnopharmacology in Combating Depressive Conditions

“…In the present study, only LD50 of aqueous root extract of M. oleifera was determined, and the result was suggestive of a high toxicity at 1264.91 mg/kg b.w. Previously, Bisong et al (2019) and Kadam and Gaykar (2017) reported the LD50s of methanol-and -diethyl-ether root extracts of M. oleifera to be greater than 5000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively.…”

“…Potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and D, vital amino acids, antioxidants including beta-carotene, vitamin C, and flavonoids have all been shown to be abundant in this plant's leaves (Abd-alwahab, 2018). Alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, and steroids are additional antinutrients that were found (Bisong et al, 2019). Zeatin, quercetin, β-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid, and kaempferol are abundantly and commonly found in the Moringa plant (Milla et al, 2021).…”