Abstract:

Objective: Valproic acid/valproate (VPA) is an antiepileptic agent that is structurally a short-chain fatty acid. It triggers the generation of reactive oxidants that can affect lens tissue. Moringa oleifera Lam. is a prevalent plant that grows in Asia, Africa and South Africa. The plant has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardioprotective activities. Materials and Methods: The effect of 70% ethanol extract of the Moringa oleifera leaves was examined on VPA-induced lens tissue damage in this study. Experimental rats were grouped into four: the control (C), Moringa extract (M), VPA, and VPA+M group.Mextract and VPA respectively were administered orally at a dose of 0.3 and 0.5 grams per kg body weight daily for fifteen days. The lens tissues of the rats were taken after sacrifice. Oxidative stress markers including glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and advanced oxidation protein products levels, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase activities, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide levels and aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were determined. Results: Tissue homogenates showed a significant decrease in glutathione and total antioxidants, as well as an altered activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-related enzymes in VPA groups. Moreover, a significant rise in the concentration of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and total oxidants, coupled with higher aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were detected. In contrast, changes in the levels of these parameters were offset in the VPA+M group by Moringa extract. Conclusion: This suggests that Moringa oleifera leaves are an excellent nutritional composite for mitigating the damaging properties of VPA.

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