Odochi O Chukwu^1,2 , Anthony CU Ezimah², Nwaeze G Konyefom², Ima O Jimmy³

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether maternal supplementation with methanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) attenuates gestational stress-induced alterations in renal electrolytes and kidney morphology in rat offspring. Methods: Twenty-five pregnant Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n=5/group): control (no stress, standard chow/water), MoLE-L (5 mg/kg/day), MoLE-H (10 mg/kg/day), chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) + MoLE-L, and CUS + MoLE-H. CUS and oral MoLE were administered from gestational day 8 to 21. At puberty (postnatal days 42–49), five offspring per group (one per litter; n = 5 per group) were sacrificed under anesthesia; blood was collected via retro-orbital puncture for serum electrolyte analysis, and kidneys were processed for histology (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining). Results: CUS-exposed offspring showed significantly elevated serum sodium (CUS + MoLE-L: 150.00 ± 1.15; CUS + MoLE-H: 149.00 ± 0.58 mmol/L) and chloride (104.33 ± 2.03; 108.33 ± 0.88 mmol/L) versus controls (Na?: 134.67 ± 2.03; Cl?: 89.00 ± 1.15 mmol/L; p < 0.05), with tubular degeneration, hemorrhage, and inflammation on histology. However, the total renal lesion score was equal in the two CUS groups (4 vs. 4). CUS + MoLE-H showed lower inflammation (0 vs. 2) but greater tubular degeneration (1 vs. 0) and focal fatty change (1 vs. 0) than CUS + MoLE-L. High-dose MoLE did not attenuate electrolyte disturbances or reduce the total lesion score. Conclusion: Gestational stress disrupts offspring renal electrolyte balance and structure. In this exploratory design, maternal MoLE supplementation did not show clear dose-dependent protection against stress-associated renal changes. The absence of a CUS-only group limits definitive conclusions.