Antidiabetic Activity of Moringa oleifera Aqueous Leaf Extract on Prediabetic Wistar Male Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder linked to sedentary lifestyles, which reduces insulin sensitivity and increases hyperglycemia risk. Standard treatments include lifestyle changes and medications. Recently, herbal remedies like Moringa oleifera leaves have gained attention due to bioactive compounds-polyphenols and flavonoids-believed to have antihyperglycemic effects. However, research on their impact on prediabetic conditions remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Moringa leaf extract on blood glucose levels in sedentary male Wistar rats to explore its potential as a natural antihyperglycemic agent.

Thirty sedentary male Wistar rats, representing a lifestyle-induced prediabetic model, were acclimatized for two weeks and randomized into five groups: Control (K), Metformin (M), and three treatment groups receiving Moringa oleifera leaf extract at doses of 200 mg/kgBW (D200), 400 mg/kgBW (D400), and 800 mg/kgBW (D800). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels-including fasting, postprandial, and time-based measurements-were assessed using an Accutrend Plus device. Data were analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk, Levene, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05).

Moringa leaf extract demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels. In the FBG test, all treatment groups showed significantly lower glucose levels compared to the control (K: 122.8 mg/dL; D200: 85.6 mg/dL; D400: 82.6 mg/dL; D800: 95.4 mg/dL; P=0.015). Similarly, TBG levels were lower in D200 (197.8 mg/dL) and D400 (186.8 mg/dL) compared to K (231 mg/dL; P=0.022). Although the PPBG decreased over time, especially in D200, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Administration of Moringa leaf powder has been shown to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose levels, but not postprandial or intermittent blood glucose levels.