Evaluation of antidiabetic potential and biochemical parameters of aqueous pod extract of Moringa oleifera in alloxan diabetic rats

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds are sold in Nigeria as nutraceutical for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes mellitus. It may also be possible that the pod of M. oleifera could have antidiabetic effect and lower plasma lipid in which diabetic patients are predisposed to. Hence there is the need to evaluate the potential of the aqueous pod extract of M. oleifera as an antidiabetic and lipid lowering agent. Acute blood glucose lowering effect of varying doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of the aqueous pod extract of M. oleifera and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) on normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The rats were treated daily for 21 days with the most effective dose (200 mg/kg, orally) and its effects on blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, body weight, biochemical parameters and lipid indices were evaluated. Results of the study showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose level. Daily administration of the extract significantly (p<0.05) improved glucose tolerance, attenuated plasma lipids levels, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase in the diabetic group. There was positive improvement in the body weight of the diabetic rats after treatment. The aqueous pod extract of M. oleifera exhibited significant antidiabetic and lipid lowering effects, which may be due to the presence of flavonoids, which are known antioxidants or possible regeneration of the pancreatic β-cells.