Histological effects of diclofenac in the kidneys of male rats and the role of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seeds in the protection

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the protective effect of Moringa oleifera seed extract against diclofenac-induced kidney damage in male albino rats. Thirty adult male rats were divided into six groups and treated for 35 days. Group 1 was the control, group 2 received diclofenac (100 mg/kg), groups 3 and 4 were treated with Moringa oleifera seed extract at two concentrations (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg), and groups 5 and 6 received Moringa oleifera seed extract at the same concentrations along with diclofenac (100 mg/kg). Kidney histology was examined after sacrifice. Results showed that the control group had normal kidney structures. The diclofenac-treated group exhibited kidney histological changes, including glomerular shrinkage, Bowman's space widening, cell necrosis in urinary tubules, tissue necrosis with hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. However, groups treated with Moringa oleifera seed extract (at 450 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) showed normal kidney tissue with no abnormalities. In groups treated with both Moringa oleifera seed extract and diclofenac, some minor changes were observed, such as slight widening of Bowman's space, minimal necrosis in urinary tubule cells, and slight bleeding in urinary tissue.