Effects of Moringa oleifera on inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone-related changes in a rat model of experimental periodontitis

Abstract

Background

This study evaluated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) on inflammatory, oxidative stress, and bone-related changes in a rat model of ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.

Methods

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control (C), periodontitis (P), and periodontitis treated with MO at 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day (P + MO100, P + MO200, P + MO400). Periodontitis was induced by placing silk ligatures around the mandibular first molars for 14 days, followed by 4 weeks of daily oral MO administration. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by ELISA. Histopathological evaluation included inflammatory cell, osteoblast, and osteoclast counts, and histomorphometric analysis assessed alveolar bone level (ABL). Group comparisons were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc test and Holm adjustment.

Results

Significant overall group differences were observed for inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, antioxidant parameters, histopathological findings, and ABL. Compared with the P group, the P + MO200 and P + MO400 groups showed a more favorable profile, particularly for IL-6, IL-1β, SOD, GPx, and MDA after multiple-comparison adjustment. Histopathological findings also supported a more favorable pattern in these higher-dose groups. Although ABL differed significantly overall, pairwise differences were limited after adjustment. Serum urea, creatinine, ALT, and AST levels did not differ significantly among groups.

Conclusion

MO was associated with favorable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bone-related changes in experimental periodontitis, with clearer effects at 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. Further studies are needed to confirm its translational potential.