Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Attenuates Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Induced Immunohepatotoxicity by Suppressing Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer widely used in industrial products and known to induce liver dysfunction and immune imbalance through oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) against DEHP-induced hepatic and immunological toxicity in rats. Thirty five male Rattus norvegicus were divided into five groups: KN (normal control): 5% DMSO; K− (negative control): DEHP 200 mg/kg body weight (bw); K+ (positive control): DEHP 200 mg/kg bw + quercetin 20 mg/kg bw; P1 (treatment 1): DEHP 200 mg/kg bw + MOLE 200 mg/kg bw; P2 (treatment 2): DEHP 200 mg/kg bw + MOLE 400 mg/kg bw.. All treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST), inflammatory analysis  (NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6), and hematological parameters (leukocyte count, lymphocyte and monocyte percentages) were analyzed. DEHP exposure significantly elevated serum ALT and AST levels, increased NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations, and caused leukocytosis with a decrease in lymphocyte percentage and increase in monocytes. Treatment with MOLE, especially at 400 mg/kg bw, significantly restored liver enzyme levels, reduced inflammatory markers, and normalized hematological profiles, bringing the values closer to those of the control group. MOLE demonstrates potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects against DEHP-induced toxicity. These findings suggest that MOLE may possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential, as evidenced by the reduction of NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Further studies are recommended to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and optimize its formulation for biomedical applications.