Hepatoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera extract on TNF-α and TGF-β expression in acetaminophen-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Background: It has been reported that Moringa oleifera (MO) has different medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective role of Moringa oleifera extract on acetaminophen-induced liver fibrosis in albino rats on a biochemical and histological basis. Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups: group I (control group), healthy rates; group II (acetaminophen group), rates received acetaminophen for induction of liver fibrosis; group III (treated group), liver fibrosis of rates treated with Moringa oleifera extract; and group IV (prophylactic group), rates treated with Moringa oleifera extract before and after induction of liver fibrosis. Serum liver function parameters were quantified using a spectrophotometer, while tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transformed growth factor beta (TGF- beta) in liver tissue homogenate by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and expression of liver tissue TNF-alpha and TGF-genes was measured by real-time PCR after extraction and purification. Hepatic tissue was also evaluated under a microscope for histopathological changes. Results: Our results showed a significant decrease in liver enzymes, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta in the treated and prophylactic groups compared to the acetaminophen group, and our biochemical data were consistent with the histopathological findings confirming the hepatoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera extract. Conclusions: Biochemical parameters and histopathology results provide evidence that Moringa oleifera ethanolic extract has a great potential to prevent and improve liver damage due to its protective activity.