Abstract The effect of Moringa oleifera crude leaf extract on Chlorpyriphos-induced hepato-toxicity in Wistar albino rats was investigated. Sixteen (16) adult Wistar albino rats of weighing about 100g and 250g were divided into a group of four (4) of four (4) rats each. Group I served as the control and were given a standard feed while groups II, III and IV were given 200mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 100mg/kg of the feed respectively following different treatments with Moringa and Chlorpyriphos. All feed were administered in pelleted form for a period of 28days. On the 29th day, the animals were humanely sacrificed and blood collected for some biochemical analysis (liver enzymes marker). Body weight/feed consumption increased significantly (p<0.001) in group III when compared with groups I and IV. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) increase in group IV when compared with group II. The values of Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) were not significant (p>0.05) and decreased in group IV treated with Moringa/Chlorpyriphos compared with group II contaminated with Chlorpyriphos. The Alanine transaminase (ALP) level was significantly different (p<0.001) and increased in group II when compared with other groups. This study therefore showed that Moringa oleifera has the potential to increase body weight and offer some level of protection against Chlorpyriphos-induced hepato-toxicity.
Keywords Moringa oleifera, Chlorpyriphos, Body weight, AST, ALT, ALP.