Experimental pathology of arsenic toxicity and its alleviation by Moringa oleifera in Japanese quails

Arsenic occurs naturally in water and soil and can be source of intoxication. The present experiment was carried out to explore the medicinal property of Moringa oleifera in restoration of toxic effects of arsenic in Japanese quails. Group T1 birds were fed with commercial diet and served as control while group T2 was treated with arsenic trioxide @ 300 ppm in the feed. The birds in group T3 and T4 were fed with Moringa oleifera seed powder at 5% and 10% level, respectively. The T5 and T6 group birds were fed with arsenic trioxide @ 300 ppm with Moringa oleifera powder at 5% and 10% level, respectively. Lowest carcass and organ weight was recorded in T2 group. Grossly, testes and ovary of T2 and T5 group birds were smaller in size compared to other groups. Microscopically, hydropic degeneration and fatty changes of liver, reduced numbers of glomeruli in kidneys, increased Virchow Robin space and neuronophagia in brain, severe destruction of mucosal villi of duodenum, arrest of spermatogenesis in testesand irregular sized ova in ovaries were observed in T2 group birds. The birds of T3 and T4 group and those fed arsenic with Moringa oleifera seeds powder (group T5 and T6) showed normal histological architecture of various organs and active spermatogenesis. Arsenic residual level in plasma as well as in the liver, kidneys, muscles and tibia bone was significantly higher in T2 group compared to the control group.