EFFECT OF SUB CHRONIC LEAD EXPOSURE ON BLOOD LEAD LEVEL AND RELATIVE ORGAN WEIGHTS OF MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

This work was aimed at assessing the effect of Moringa oleifera and Ascorbic acid on subchronic lead exposure in male Wistar rats. Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were grouped into 6 groups comprising of 3 rats each. Group 1 was administered distilled water (DW) (2 ml/kg), group 2 was given lead only (Pb) (190 mg/kg), group 3 was administered lead and ascorbic acid (PbAA) (190 mg/kg +100 mg/kg, respectively), group 4 was dosed lead and Moringa oleifera (PbMO) (190 mg/kg+500 mg/kg, respectively), in addition, group 5 was dosed with a combination of lead with ascorbic acid and Moringa oleifera (PbAAMO) (190 mg/kg+100 mg/kg+500 mg/kg, respectively) while group 6 received lead with ascorbic acid and low dose Moringa oleifera (PbLAMO) (190 mg/kg+50 mg/kg+250 mg/kg, respectively). Treatment was given through oral route once daily. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks and the blood lead level and weight of some organs of the animals were taken at the end of the experiment. Result of the study showed a decrease in liver and kidney weights, as well as increased blood lead level in Pb group compared with other groups. Comparably, improvement in the body deficits was recorded in the group treated with a combination of ascorbic acid and Moringa oleifera. The improvement in body weight may likely be due to their antioxidant effects.