Citation
Intan Nurzulaikha Abdul Zahid, . and Seri Narti Edayu Sarchio, . and Nur Liyana Daud, . and Suhaili Shamsi, . and Elysha Nur Ismail, . (2025) Toxicity assessment of ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Pertanika Journal Tropical Agricultural Science (Malaysia), 48 (3). pp. 911-928. ISSN 1511-3701
Abstract
Moringa oleifera, locally known as ‘Kelor’ in Malay, is a medicinal plant valued in Malaysia and other countries for its therapeutic bioactive compounds and health benefits, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the toxicity profile of ethanolic M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) has not been well explored. This study aims to assess the toxicity profile of MOLE using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Zebrafish embryos were subjected to MOLE (n ≥ 15; 24 h post-fertilisation [hpf]) at a concentration of 5-1000 μg/mL, and the survival rate, hatching rate, heart rate, and morphological development of zebrafish embryos were monitored daily for up to 72 h. Embryo media was used as a control. MOLE treatment was shown to be safe at concentrations ≤ 400 μg/mL with LC₅₀ values of 1186 ±7 μg/mL, 560.1 ±7 μg/mL, and 445.1 ± 7 μg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment, respectively. A significant mortality rate and low heartbeat were recorded in embryos exposed to > 800 μg/mL across the three-time points. MOLE did not affect the hatching rate. A significant difference in embryos treated with > 800 μg/mL at 72 h post-treatment was not attributable to MOLE effects, as the embryos had died before hatching. Scoliosis was predominantly observed in embryos subjected to MOLE concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 μg/mL. The present data demonstrated that MOLE exhibited concentration- and time-dependent toxicities. Further studies are needed to identify the effective concentrations of MOLE for therapeutic application in in vitro and in vivo models.
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Abstract
Moringa oleifera, locally known as ‘Kelor’ in Malay, is a medicinal plant valued in Malaysia and other countries for its therapeutic bioactive compounds and health benefits, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the toxicity profile of ethanolic M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) has not been well explored. This study aims to assess the toxicity profile of MOLE using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Zebrafish embryos were subjected to MOLE (n ≥ 15; 24 h post-fertilisation [hpf]) at a concentration of 5-1000 μg/mL, and the survival rate, hatching rate, heart rate, and morphological development of zebrafish embryos were monitored daily for up to 72 h. Embryo media was used as a control. MOLE treatment was shown to be safe at concentrations ≤ 400 μg/mL with LC₅₀ values of 1186 ±7 μg/mL, 560.1 ±7 μg/mL, and 445.1 ± 7 μg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment, respectively. A significant mortality rate and low heartbeat were recorded in embryos exposed to > 800 μg/mL across the three-time points. MOLE did not affect the hatching rate. A significant difference in embryos treated with > 800 μg/mL at 72 h post-treatment was not attributable to MOLE effects, as the embryos had died before hatching. Scoliosis was predominantly observed in embryos subjected to MOLE concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 μg/mL. The present data demonstrated that MOLE exhibited concentration- and time-dependent toxicities. Further studies are needed to identify the effective concentrations of MOLE for therapeutic application in in vitro and in vivo models.
Additional Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| AGROVOC Term: | Moringa oleifera |
| AGROVOC Term: | leaf extracts |
| AGROVOC Term: | medicinal plants |
| AGROVOC Term: | bioactive compounds |
| AGROVOC Term: | in vivo digestibility |
| AGROVOC Term: | in vitro |
| AGROVOC Term: | toxicity |
| AGROVOC Term: | heart rate |
| Geographical Term: | Malaysia |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Azariah Hashim |
| Date Deposited: | 07 May 2026 08:12 |
| Last Modified: | 07 May 2026 08:12 |
| URI: | http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/25280 |
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