Impacts of M. oleifera Leaf Extract on Weight Loss, the Metabolomic Profile, and the Intestinal Microbiota in
Xiaoxian Zhou1,2, Daoqiang He3, Jia Xiong1
1Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Public Health and Biosafety and School of Public Health Kunming Medical University Kunming Yunnan China.
Abstract:
Moringa oleifera leaves, recognized as a novel food resource in China, have shown potential health benefits. To investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on weight loss and its underlying mechanisms, this study conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. In this trial, 35 participants were participated to the placebo group (Con group) or the M. oleifera leaf extract group (Med group) for 90 days. Both groups received dietary/lifestyle guidance. Body composition was assessed monthly, and stool and serum samples were collected for 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (16S rRNA sequencing), biochemical analysis, and metabolomics. The results show that significant changes were observed in body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, and fat-free mass between the two groups (all p < 0.05). Compared with the Con group, the Med group showed a more pronounced decrease in BMI, yet better preserved its basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, and fat-free mass. Among the metabolic markers, the Med group showed a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with the Con group (all p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis showed there were significant differences in the abundance of 9 taxa between the two groups (p < 0.05). Differentially expressed metabolic pathways are concentrated in "Metabolic pathways," Acetate levels in the feces of the Med group were significantly lower than those in the Con group; untargeted metabolomics identified a total of 132 differentially expressed metabolites, which were enriched in multiple lipid metabolic pathways. There is a certain correlation between the levels of certain differential metabolites and gut microbiota and the expression of clinical indicators. In summary, M. oleifera leaf extract can effectively reduce the BMI in obese patients while better preserving basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, and fat-free mass. HbA1c and HDL-C levels in the body also showed significant improvement, and the extract played a regulatory role in the abundance of gut microbiota and metabolites related to lipid metabolism. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry CTR2400089558.
