The ameliorative role of Moringa oleifera on the abnormalities induced by aspartame in rats: I. Monoamine neurotransmitters and oxidative stress levels in the rat brain

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) aqueous leaves extract against the damage induced by the sweetener aspartame (AM) on brain monoamines, oxidative stress and creatine kinase (CK) in adult male albino rats. AM and MO were administered (75 and 500 mg/ Kg body weight) as a daily oral dose, respectively. Rats were divided into five groups; namely, saline control (Sc), AM, Protection (Pr), Improvement (Im) and treatment (Tr). Results showed a diminishing neurotransmitter, total antioxidant capacity levels and catalase and CK activities with a compatibility with increase in the malondilaldehyde level in the AM administered groups. The groups of rats administered MO extract by different routes of administration (Pr, Im or Tr designs) exerted a beneficial effect on all parameters. Whereas, the rats administered AM and MO under the Tr design had the significantly highest values of all the estimated parameters (P<0.01) compared with the other experimental groups (Pr and Im). The aqueous leaves extract of MO administration could trigger the damage induced in brain of rats induced by AM.