Effects of Moringa oleifera on valproic acid induced spleen injury in rats

Valproic acid (VA), being a potent inhibitor of class I histone deacetylases, is used in the treatment of epilepsy, cancer, and certain neurological and psychiatric disorders. VA, by modifying gene expression, can lead to certain side effects and toxicities. It has been determined that chronic use of VA induces adverse effects such as gastrointestinal reactions, allergic responses, and immunological dysfunction and exacerbates the development of metabolic syndrome through the promotion of hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Moringa oleifera is a multifunctional plant due to rich phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The leaves of Moringa are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, natural antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, saponins, tannins, and phytates. In the present study, the protective effects of Moringa leaves on valproate-induced spleen injury were investigated. Sprague Dawley female rats were randomly divided into four different groups; Group I: control (given %0.9 NaCl (1ml) for 15 days), Group II Moringa group (given 300 mg/kg/day of 70% ethanol extract of Moringa extract for 15 days), Group III: sodium valproate group (given 500 mg/kg/day for 15 days), Group IV: sodium valproate + Moringa administered group (applied by following the same procedure as time and dose). Normal saline, sodium valproate, and Moringa extract were administered orally. According to the results obtained from our study, it was determined that the administration of Moringa extract to the sodium valproate group ameliorated the biochemical disturbances caused by sodium valproate, due to its diverse antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic properties.