Protective Role Of Moringa Stenopetala Against Subchronic Exposure Of Fluoride In Soft Tissue Of Mice.

Abstract

Background: Excessive fluoride intake over a long period of time results in fluorosis. Skeletal and dental toxicity are known adverse effects of fluorides. Scientific data on the effect of excess fluorides on soft tissues is scarce . Studies implicated that among the mechanism by which fluorosis cause s damage is through aggravating oxidative stress and inhibiting body anti oxidative systems. Moringa ( Moringa stenopetala, Bac , ) an endogenous tree to Ethiopia , is rich in antioxidants, and has potent anti-oxidative effect. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sub-chronic exposure to fluoride on histological status and function of Liver, kidney and pancreas, as well as protective role of Moringa stenopetala crude extract against soft tissue injury in adult mice. Materials and Methods: Laboratory- based randomized control study with both quantitative and qualitative analyses was conducted using 7- 8wks, 24 adult Swiss Albino mice with average weight 33.8± 5.5g. All animals were allowed free access to st andard pellet diet ad libitum and distilled water except when starvation was otherwise needed. After an acclimatization period of 7 days, the mice were randomly divided to six (five experimental and one control) groups of four animals each (two male and two females). The mice in the experimental groups were freely allowed to NaF in drinking water and orally administered a single daily dose of 100mg/kg Moringa extract, once a day at 24 hours intervals accordingly to feeding protocol for 90 days. Similarly, the control groups were also given 0.07 ppm of NaF in distilled water. After 3 months of exposure, on day 91, the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed by cervical dislocation for blood and organ collection, and histological preparation. Result: There was statistically significance difference in body weight gain between the treated and the control groups. Compared with the controls, weight of 100 ppm NaF treated group had signi ficant weight decrease during 10 th and 12 th weeks of treatment with F(5 23)= 5.19, P= 0.04, η=0.59 and F(5 23)=10.25, P =0.000, η =0.74 respectively. There was statistically significan t difference in liver function tests between the treated and the control groups. Compared with the controls, plasma alkaline phosphatase of 100 ppm fluoride treated group had signicant plasma ALP level with F(5 17)= 5.466, P=0.008, η=0.695 and power of 0.917. Independent t test yields no significance difference between fluorotic without Moringa stenopetala and fluorotic with Moringa stenopetala gr oups (P =0.168). There was statistically significan t difference in renal function tests( plasma urea) between the treated and the control groups. Compared with the controls, renal function of 100 ppm fluoride without Moringa treated group had signifi cant increase in plasma urea level compared to control with F(5 17)= 3.966, P=0.02, η=0.625 and power of 0.801 independent t test yields no significance difference between fluorotic without Moringa stenopetala and fluorotic with Moringa stenopetala groups (P=0.318) . There was severe histological change in liver, kidney and pancreas in group treated with F without Moringa. Conclusion and Recommendation: The present study depicted that exposure to F alters the structures and function of organs in question. These are evidenced by necrosis of hepatocytes, glomeruli and pancreatic acinar cells, decreased renal urea clearance and increase in plasma alkaline phosphate level. Moringa has shown a protective role against F toxicity probably by its antioxidant role. Further large scale study is recommended.