Potential Immunomodulation of Moringa oleifera Crude Ethanol Extract on Danio rerio (Zebra fish)

Authors

  • Angelu Marie O. Diloy
  • Mariah Jane L. Loyola
  • Nicole Krescent C. Samonte

Keywords:

Moringa oleifera, immunomodulatory activity, ethanol extract, Danio rerio, melanomacrophage center

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Fishes are prone to many viral pathogens; some can be identified but some are still unknown. Viral infections of fishes can be caused by poor water quality and other environmental conditions. However, there are some treatments or the preventive way in those viral pathogens (Metapathogen.com, n.d.).This research study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Moringa oleifera crude ethanol extract as feed additives on Danio rerio (zebrafish), which could possibly improve the health of the fishes and strengthen their immune system from various types of pathogens that are present in their environment.

METHODS

Ten (10) kilograms of Moringa oleifera were gathered in Naic, Cavite while twenty-seven (27) mixed-sex zebra fishes were bought from Cartimar, Pasay City. Moringa oleifera stalk was then separated from its leaves and dried for a week, then soaked in 95% ethanol for 48 hours and was processed for extraction. Two concentrations were prepared, concentration 1 with 50 μg/kg and Concentration 2 with 100 μg/ kg and were coated on the feeds. Then, the fishes were fed with the extract. After two weeks, the fishes were dissected and spleen samples were collected and subjected under histological analysis. the formation of melanomacrophage centers was recorded through the use of ImageJ software.

RESULTS

In comparison to the treatments with Moringa oleifera crude ethanol extract, the Control Group showed the least percentage of formation of splenic MMCs with an average of 1.142%. Concentration 1, the lower concentration with an average of 2.559% showed the highest percentage of formation of MMCs in the spleen of Danio rerio and 1.755% for the Concentration 2 respectively. It can be inferred from the average results that as the concentration increases, the percentage of formation of splenic melanomacrophage centers in D. rerio decreases, not including the Control Group.

DISCUSSIONS

The results inferred that Moringa oleifera crude ethanol extract was able to increase the percentage of formation of splenic MMCs per field of view. In addition to this, as the concentration of Moringa oleifera extract increases, the formation of splenic melanomacrophage centers increases. There is a direct proportionality between the concentration of the extract and the formation of MMCs per field of view. However, a low number or formation of MMCs suggests a strong immune system. Thus, it can be concluded that Moringa oleifera does not exhibit an immunomodulatory property on Danio rerio (zebrafish).

Published

2019-01-18