Anti-anaemic effects of Moringa oleifera seeds (Lam) in protein energy malnourished rats

The effects of defatted Moringa oleifera seed (L) on haemotological indices and body weight was evaluated in rat model of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). Protein Energy Malnutrition is associated with muscle degeneration and anaemia. Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was induced in fifteen (15) rats by feeding them with low protein diet (3% fish meal protein) and water for twenty eight days. Five (5) rats served as positive control (Group A) received commercial feed containing 21% crude protein. The PEM rats were assigned to three groups namely B, C and D. Group B and C were fed with recovery diets ad libitum for another twenty eight days. Group B received feed containing 20% Fishmeal protein  and Group C received feed containing 20% defatted M. oleifera  seed. Group D were Protein-energy malnourished rats maintained on protein deficient diet (3% fish meal protein). Protein energy malnourished rats had significantly reduced (p<0.05) body weight and haematological indices with exception of the Mean Capsular Volume (MCV) and Mean Capsular Haemoglobin (MCH) which significantly (p< 0.05) increased.  Phenotypical examination revealed that PEM animals had characteristic typical of catabolic states, which include, retarded growth, loss of hair, scaly tail etc. The recovery diets containing 20% fishmeal protein or 20% M. oleifera in place of 3% fishmeal caused significant (p<0.05) increase in the Haematological Indices (with exception of MCV and MCH which decreased significantly) and body weight when compared with the malnourished group D. The study support the claims that PEM can cause muscle degeneration and disturbance to haematological parameters. Furthermore, supplementation of diet with M. oleifera seeds ameliorate muscle degeneration and anaemia in PEM rats comparatively similar to 20% fish meal.