Moringa oleifera Docking to Estrogen Receptor α Ameliorates Placental and Brain  Damage in Stressed Rats

Odochi O.  Chukwu; Cordilia  Iyare; Anthony C.U.  Ezimah; Albert E.  Okorocha; Nwaeze G.   Konyefom; Nnaemeka  T. Asogwa; Nancy P.  Igwe

doi:10.18502/ajmb.v17i1.17673

Odochi O. Chukwu Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Cordilia Iyare Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Anthony C.U. Ezimah Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Abakaliki Ebonyi, State, Nigeria
Albert E. Okorocha Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Abakaliki Ebonyi, State, Nigeria
Nwaeze G. Konyefom Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Abakaliki Ebonyi, State, Nigeria
Nnaemeka T. Asogwa Central Research Laboratory, University Road, Tanke Ilorin, Nigeria
Nancy P. Igwe Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ajmb.v17i1.17673

Keywords: Brain, Estrogens, Moringa, Phytochemicals, Receptors

Abstract

Background: Stress during pregnancy significantly impacts offspring early physiological programming. Herbal remedies are frequently used by pregnant women to enhance their wellbeing. Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract (MoLE) is believed to have both anti-stress and antioxidant properties which can act as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) that regulate activities of estrogen, and can have different effects on different tissues. Goal of this study is to compile information on molecular docking analysis of phytochemicals found in MoLE targeting Estrogen Receptor-alpha (ER-α) and assess effects of MoLE administration on dam's and fetal brain tissues and placenta, during gestational stress.

Methods: Phytochemical study of MoLE was determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Molecular docking technique was employed to predict aspects of interaction and binding affinities energy of bioactive phytocompounds in protein site of ER-α using autodock tools. 30 apparently healthy pregnant Albino-Wistar rats were randomly placed into 6 groups of 5 rats per group and exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS) protocol for two weeks, as follows: Group I (water and normal rat chow ad libitum), Group II (CUS protocol only), Group III (5 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group IV (10 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group V (CUS protocol +5 mg/kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group VI (CUS protocol +10 mg/kg body weight/ day of MoLE).

Results: This study found that 1-Propanol, 3,3'-oxy bis- and 1, 2, 3-Trimethyldiazir-idine are most potent ligands for ER-α among all 41 compounds. Photomicrograph examination of tissues from stressed rats showed mild to severe alterations in histology. Consumption of MoLE during chronic stress showed mild to moderate protective effects.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that 1-Propanol, 3,3'-oxy bis- and 1, 2, 3-Trimethy-ldiaziridine can be further investigated for development of novel therapeutics.