Randomized Evaluation of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Leaf Extract on Chronic Unpredictable Stress-Associated Hepatic Dysfunction in Pregnant Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) during gestation disrupts maternal hepatic function via oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Moringa oleifera has well-documented antioxidant and cytoprotective properties; however, its effects on maternal hepatic function under prenatal stress remain insufficiently characterized. Objectives: This study evaluated the dose-dependent effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) on hepatic enzyme activity and bilirubin levels in pregnant Wistar rats exposed to CUS. Methods: Thirty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 5): control, stress only, low-dose MoLE (5 mg/kg), high-dose MoLE (10 mg/kg), low-dose MoLE + CUS, and high-dose MoLE + CUS. Randomization was performed using a simple random allocation procedure. MoLE was administered orally from gestational day (GD) 8 to 21, concurrently with CUS exposure, where applicable. On GD 21, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were quantified using standard spectrophotometric assays. Results: Exposure to CUS significantly increased serum ALP, ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels compared with those in controls (P < 0.01), indicating hepatic dysfunction. High-dose MoLE administered alone maintained biochemical indices comparable to control values, whereas low-dose MoLE induced mild elevations in hepatic markers. Under CUS conditions, high-dose MoLE markedly attenuated stress-induced biochemical alterations, whereas low-dose MoLE provided limited protective effects. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf extract modulated stress-induced hepatic dysfunction in pregnant rats in a dose-dependent manner. Supplementation at 10 mg/kg effectively attenuated CUS-associated hepatic biochemical disturbances, suggesting a potential role for appropriately dosed M oleifera in mitigating prenatal stress-related oxidative hepatic injury.