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

Adamu, Auwal; Jada, Mahmoud S.; Saidu, Umar; Usha, Yahaya I.; Favour, Emmanuel G.; Shuaibu, Mohammed N.

Rising cases of neurodegenerative disorders negatively impact human and economic resources of the globe, hence the need to search for safe, affordable, and effective psychotherapeutic interventions. In the present study, the effect of extracts from roots of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) on norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in brain and serum of seemingly healthy rats was investigated. Fresh roots of M. oleifera were collected, dried, ground and subjected to aqueous, methanol and diethyl-ether extractions. Median lethal dose (LD50) of M. oleifera aqueous root extract was determined. Animal experimental groups received 100- and -200 mg/kg body weights of the different root extracts of M. oleifera. The animals were sacrificed after anesthesia on the eleventh day, and blood and brain samples were taken and tested for total proteins and catecholamines. All data were analysed using one-way-analysis of variance and Tukey tests. Value less than 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. High doses of aqueous, methanol, and diethyl ether root extracts of M. oleifera significantly (p0.05) altered by the aqueous, methanol and diethyl-ether root extracts, whilst brain epinephrine concentration was significantly (p<0.05) raised by the diethyl-ether root extract. Norepinephrine levels in the brains and serum of rats that appeared to be in good condition were only marginally elevated by high and low dosages of the plant's aqueous and methanol root extracts, but they were markedly elevated (p<0.05) by both doses of the di-ethyl-ether extract. The present study reveals that di-ethyl-ether root extract of M. oleifera can dose dependently alter norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in brain and serum of apparently healthy rats. Consequently, it is crucial to investigate the mechanism by which the administration of di-ethyl-ether root extract of the plant to animals modulate catecholamine production.

MORINGA oleifera; ADRENALINE; ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY; RATS; ETHER (Anesthetic); LABORATORY animals

Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2023, Vol 16, Issue 2, p329

1995-6673

Academic Journal

10.54319/jjbs/160217