Introduction: There are a number of stressors which adversely affects the normal homeostasis
of the body. One of them is thermal stress which has marked damaging effect on the normal
physiology of an individual. Drumstick tree is a versatile plant from Moringaceae family.
Drumstick tree is a best food plant but it also has a large potential as a medicinal plant . Due to
rich source of flavonoids, β-carotenes, vitamin A & D, DST is known as a best natural antioxidant.
The leaves of Drumstick tree contain phenolic compounds, which have
hypocholesterolemic and hypolipodemic properties. It also possess cardio protective, hepatoprotective
and renal protective activities due to its rich anti-oxidant potential.
Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that Drumstick tree leaf powder supplementation will
ameliorate the growth performance, serum lipid profile and thyroid function in rats exposed to
thermal stress
Methodology: Adult female Wistar rats (n= 24) were procured and housed in stainless steel
cages in the experimental animal shed of department of Physiology, University of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, Lahore-Pakistan. After acclimatization, rats were divided in to four groups
(One control and 3 DSTLP treated groups). Rats were exposed to high environmental
temperature(37±1°C) for one hour daily(12.00 Pm-1.00 Pm) throughout the experimental period
of 21 days for the induction of heat stress(Sinha. 2007). Anti-stress properties of Drumstick tree
leaf powder were examined by measuring biochemical parameters, i.e. anthropometry, serum
lipid profile, thyroid function hormones, serum cortisol, total protein, albumin and globulin
(Ohkawa et al. 1979). Analysis of all these parameters was carried out by using commercially
available kits provided by Human Diagnostics, Germany.
Summary
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Results: Results from the present study revealed that Drumstick tree leaf powder
supplementation during thermal stress has a significant effect (P<0.05) on serum lipid profile,
total protein, albumin globulin, thyroid function hormones (T3 & T4) and cortisol. On the other
hand, Drumstick tree leaf powder demonstrated a non-significant effect (P>0.05) on
anthropometric parameters.
Statistical analysis: The data was analyzed by using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
using SPSS software. The group differences were compared by the Tukey’s Test. Differences
was considered significant at P < 0.05.
Conclusion: From this study, it was concluded that Drumstick tree leaf powder (MOLP) has a
potent antioxidant potential by lowering cholesterol, TG and LDL-cholesterol with marked
ameliorative effect on TP, albumin and globulin in heat stressed rats. Further studies are required
to explore the potential of other portions of this plant in heat stress.