Moringa Oleifera mitigates oxidative stress and pancreatic toxicity induced by sodium valproate in female Sprague Dawley rats

Sodium valproate (VPA, valproic acid) is one of the most frequently prescribed antiepileptic drugs. However, this drug is known to cause significant oxidative damage and toxicity in various tissues and organs, including pancreatic tissue. Moringa oleifera (M) is a plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects, whose consumption and properties have gained prominence in recent years. This study investigates the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves against VPA-induced pancreatic oxidative damage in a rat model. Four experimental groups (Control, M, VPA, and VPA + M) comprising female Sprague Dawley rats were evaluated through biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. The Moringa extract (0.3 g/kg/day) and VPA (0.5 g/kg/day) were given for 15 days. Bioactive compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid in Moringa oleifera leaf were predicted via Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database. According to our results, Moringa administration increased antioxidant enzyme activities after VPA-induced damage, while significantly decreasing lipid peroxidation, advanced oxidation protein products, and other oxidant species. Histological analysis revealed the cytoprotective effect of Moringa on pancreas tissue by reducing pancreatic histological damage and decreasing PCNA-positive cells in the VPA + M group. These findings indicate the protective potential of Moringa oleifera against VPA-induced oxidative stress and pancreatic toxicity.

Graphical abstract