Protective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract against oxidative stress, inflammation, depression, and apoptosis in a mouse model of hepatic encephalopathy

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Nov;29(55):83783-83796. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-21453-x. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and anti-depression impacts of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf ethanolic extract (MOLE) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of CCl4-induced hepatic encephalopathy mouse model. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect marker compounds: rutin and β-sitosterol. Animals were divided into four groups: vehicle group, CCl4-treated group, MOLE-treated group, and (CCl4 + MOLE) group treated with MOLE for 14 days before CCl4-induced neurotoxicity. MOLE decreased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, corticosterone, and ammonia levels in serum and improved the antioxidant status of CCl4-treated mice in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. It reduced the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR2, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) genes and the protein levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. MOLE also attenuated apoptosis, as revealed by the reduced expression of caspase3, and prevented histological deterioration. Furthermore, MOLE attenuated CCl4-induced anxiety and depression-like behavioral changes. Collectively, MOLE modulates neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, TLR4/2-MyD88/NF-κB signaling, and apoptosis in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the hepatic encephalopathy experimental model.

Keywords: Behavioral changes; Hepatic encephalopathy; Inflammation; Moringa oleifera Lam.; Neuroprotection; TLR4/2-MYD88/NF-κB pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Apoptosis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Moringa oleifera* / chemistry
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / pharmacology
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • NF-kappa B
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts