Enhancing effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on carcinogenic Aflatoxin B1-induced genetic alterations, haematoxicity and histological changes in liver and kidney of rats

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)) was revealed to have potent mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The consumption of nutritional products contaminated with AFB(1) and inducing of genotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinoma have received widespread attention. The present study was aimed to investigate whether Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) can suppress AFB(1)-induced genotoxicity, haematoxicity and carcinogenicity in rats. Our results proved that MOLE that used as a protective or a therapeutic agent could minimize a certain degree of AFB(1)-induced toxicity. Where, MOLE could relieve the formation of DNA damage using comet assay and ISSR-PCR analyses, inhibit the over-expression of p53 gene using RT-PCR, enhance the rates of haematological constituents, and mitigate the massive damage in hepatic and renal tissues including dysplastic nodules that were diagnosed by H&E stain and immunohistochemical marker through p53 stain. The utilization of MOLE as a therapeutic agent especially the treatment with the highest dose (4.7 gm/kg) gave the best results, in which the genetical, haematological and histological changes were restored towards normal level or natural status. In conclusion, the present findings give a new insight into the therapeutic role of MOLE in alleviating AFB(1)-induced genotoxicity, haematoxicity and hepato and renal toxicity in rats, demonstrating the ability of such medicinal plant for mitigating the deleterious effects of AFB(1).