Abstract

Moringa oleifera has gained popularity especially in recent times due to several publications reporting various nutritional and health benefits of the plant; though it is important to note that most investigations on this plant are basic and the reports would require proper trials to evaluate the exact benefits to human health. This investigation was an attempt to investigate the effects of ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the histology of vital body tissues. The rationale is that histological observations would provide a more reliable and consistent picture of the effects produced by the interactions of the phytochemicals with the body cells and tissue. It may be helpful in observing the possible toxicological effects on body tissues or on the other hand, the positive effects on the body tissues. A total of twelve Wistar rats (n=12) were used for the investigation; divided in two groups of Control (A) and Treated (B). A daily dosage of 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic moringa leaf extract was administered orally to the treated Group B for 28 days. All animals were fed ad libitum. Animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The tissues were excised and processed using routine haematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques. Photomicrographs were taken with the aid of the Accuscope Photomicrographic at suitable magnifications. Analysis of each tissue’s histo-morphology, general histo-architecture and cytological structures was critically done. The basis of analyses and inferences was clearly defined: whether Moringa oleifera leaf extract produced any observable deleterious effects on the tissue [toxicological evaluation]; or whether its effects would improve the tissue’s histological architecture especially in manners that can produce improvement in physiological conditions of the individual tissue or general body health [medicinal and nutritional properties]. Extract produced positive effects in most tissues except in the testis and epididymis where the effects were anti-fertility. Various tissues 1enefited from the positive effects to various extents.