Moringa extract reduces DNA fragmentation and ameliorates Tamoxifen®-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and it causes the most deaths after lung cancer. Tamoxifen^® (TMX) is a known chemopreventive agent that widely used for treatment of breast cancer; however it presents several side effects. The objective of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of Moringa aqueous extract (MAE) in reduction of DNA-fragmentation and amelioration of the hepato-pathophysiological complications sided by TMX. Adult male Wistar rats (150-170g) were randomly divided into four groups (10 animals each group) as follows: group (1): Rats administrated with saline and served as control, group (2): Rats orally administrated with MAE (300 mg/Kg b.wt./day), group (3) Rats intoxicated with TMX (3mg/Kg/3days), and group (4); Rats daily treated with MAE in combination with TMX. After consecutive six weeks, the results revealed that the administration of MAE markedly restored the pathophysiological deteriorations resulted from TMX-intoxication; This was evidenced by the marked reduction in serum ALAT, ASAT, GGT, ALP and bilirubin as well as the improvement in the serum level of total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, Na and K. Moreover, the microscopic examinations showed marked regeneration of the hepatocytes. These findings were in line with the reduction of DNA-fragmentation and could be mechanized through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory battery of moringa constituents. In conclusion, MAE could play a beneficial role for prevention of TMX-induced pathophysiological distortions. So, it may be worthy to consider the beneficial use of moringa extract as a supplement with the TMX therapy.