ANTIDIABETIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT ON EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED DIABETES IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera in diabetic Wistar rats. The effect of methanol extract of M. oleifera at doses of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight was compared to non-diabetic rats, diabetic control rats and diabetic rats treated with rosiglitazone (2mg/kg b.w.). Glucose levels were monitored within 24 hours and on day 15 of treatment. Blood samples were collected on day 16 of treatment to determine serum lipid profile, proteins and its fractions, non-protein metabolites and liver enzymes. On day 15 of treatment, glucose levels of diabetic control rats decreased by 13.33%, rats treated with the doses of the extract decreased by 52.37%, 53.62% and 53.93%, and rats treated with rosiglitazone, 58.8%. Weight gain was consistent in all groups of rats except in diabetic control with significant weight loss (-37.12g). The lipid profile showed rats treated with the extract had higher triglyceride levels, but significantly (p<0.05) lower total cholesterols with lower levels of LDL-C and VLDL-C, and higher HDL-C. Total proteins were increased with significant (p<0.05) increases in the albumin fraction. Liver enzymes, urea and creatinine levels were also reduced in the extract treated rats. In conclusion, the extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera reduced blood glucose levels, corrected dyslipidemias of the diabetic rats, and protected the liver from alloxan-induced injury.