PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES AGAINST POTASSIUM BROMATE-INDUCED RENAL TOXICITY IN RATS

KBrO 3 is a vital component used in food, beer, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic productions; it produces moderate-to-dangerous toxic insults to a variety of organs. This study aimed to investigate if Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract (MOE) can protect rats from KBrO 3 -induced renal toxicity. Four experimental groups of male albino rats (Sprague Dawley) were used here (n=8): control, MOE (400 mg/kg body weight), KBrO 3 (100 mg/kg body weight), and KBrO 3 in combination with MOE groups. Daily for six weeks, each group received orally its unique treatment. After the experimental period kidneys and serum were collected for biochemical, molecular, and histological investigations. The KBrO 3 treatment was associated with a significant rise in serum levels of urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium. KBrO 3 also caused a significant increase in the renal tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, while reducing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the renal tissues. Moreover, KBrO 3 led to kidney inflammation and fibrosis by increasing the tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and tumor growth factor-β1, which was followed by upregulation in the renal expression of miRNA 21 ( miR-21 ), miR-29 , and miR-192 . In comparison to the control group, histopathological evaluation of the KBrO 3 group revealed degenerative alterations and damage in the kidney tissues. Conversely, co-treatment with MOE revealed a noticeable alleviation of the harmful effects of KBrO 3 in almost all examined parameters. In conclusion, MOE could be utilized as an alternative therapy to alleviate the detrimental effects of KBrO 3 on kidneys due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities.