<b>NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF </b><b>MORINGA</b><b> </b><b>OLEIFERA</b><b> LEAF EXTRACT ON OPTIC NERVE IN RAT MODEL</b>

Background: Optic nerve injury leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage. Moringa oleifera is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its neuroprotective effects against optic nerve injury remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological changes in optic nerve-injured rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6): control, optic nerve injury, and optic nerve injury treated with M. oleifera extract at 200 or 400 mg/kg orally for 28 days. Optic nerve injury was induced using the optic nerve crush technique. Oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, MDA) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) were measured in optic nerve tissue. Histopathological evaluation assessed axonal degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and neuronal damage. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Optic nerve injury caused significant axonal degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and neuronal damage, accompanied by decreased SOD and CAT activity and increased MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels. Treatment with M. oleifera extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, improving histopathological features in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera leaf extract exhibits protective effects against optic nerve injury by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation and preserving neuronal integrity. These findings suggest its potential as a neuroprotective agent in optic nerve injury.