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

Valproic acid (SVA) is a short-chain fatty acid and an active ingredient used in the treatment of epilepsy. Although it is the most preferred antiepileptic drug in the treatment of epilepsy, serious side effects and toxicity occur on many tissues and organs depending on the duration of use and dose in the treatments. Moringa oleifera has strong antiepileptic, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, especially its skill and stomach protective properties, with the presence of vitamins, minerals, natural antioxidants, flavonoids and alkaloids. In this study, 70% alcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera plant was prepared and it was aimed to investigate the protective effects of Moringa oleifera by applying this plant extract on valproic acid induced heart damage. Sprague-Dawley female rats were preferred for the study. Experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups. The groups were determined as control group, Moringa oleifera extract group, SVA applied group and SVA+Moringa oleifera extract group. SVA and Moringa oleifera extracts were structured by dissolving in serum analysis solutions and experimental options were given by gavage method. The experimental period was determined as 15 days. At the end of this period, the experimental animals were sacrificed under anesthesia after fasting for one night. Then the heart tissues were taken. The tissues were stored in the physiological saline until the experiment day of the experiments at -20 °C. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic biochemical effects were determined in homogenates from heart tissues. According to the results, it was observed that there was an increase in reduced glutathione, advanced oxidized protein products, total oxidant levels, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress index, nitric oxide, hexose, hexosamine levels and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate oxal acetate transaminase, myeloperoxidase, carbonic anhydrase activities, while there was a decrease in total antioxidant and catalase, superoxide dismutase, xanthine oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium potassium ATPase and alkaline phosphatase activities in SVA given group when compared to control group. Moringa oleifera extract administration to SVA group reversed these levels and activities. Considering these results, it can be concluded that Moringa oleifera plant extract showed its protective effects against heart injury induced by SVA.