Evaluation of anti-osteoporotic potential of Moringa olifera Leaves in rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate haematobiochemical profile and anti-osteoporotic potential of Moringa oleifera in combination with prednisolone induced osteopororsis in rats. Osteoporosis was induced in rats by administration of prednisolone @ 1mg/ kg, b wt, I.P, daily for 28 days under aseptic conditions. Rats were divided in 6 groups containing six animals in each group. Group I served as control, group II and group III rats were administered aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (MOAE) @ 200 mg/kg b. wt and 500 mg/kg b.wt. orally respectively. In group IV and V, aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (MOAE) @ 200 mg/kg b. wt and 500 mg/kg b.wt orally along with prednisolone @ 1mg/kg b wt IP and in group VI prednisolone @ 1mg/kg b wt., IP, was administered daily for 28 days. The antiosteoporotic potential of the plant was measured by determining bone histomorphometry of rat femur using X-ray radiography. Osteoporotic biomarkers were recorded by determining alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium. The study revealed that the level of osteoporotic biomarkers such as ALP and calcium were reduced after treatment with prednisolone. However, rats in group IV and V showed significant improvement in levels of calcium as compared to control at the end of the study. No changes in bone density were observed in radiographic images of group II but rats in group VI showed dislocation of femur head from pelvic girdle and fracture in mid shaft of femur, confirming induced osteoporosis by prednisolone. However, treatment with MOAE was effective in ameliorating prednisolone induced deformities in bone in groups IV and V. Thus, it can be concluded from the study that Moringa oleifera is effective in ameliorating prednisolone induced osteoporosis in rats.