Moringa Oleifera Leaf Powder for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) leaves are commonly used for diabetes in Mali. This pilot clinical study aimed to evaluate its effect on post-prandial blood glucose in preparation for a larger trial. Methods: Diabetic patients and non-diabetic healthy volunteers (35 each) were asked to fast for 13 hours on three occasions. Blood glucose was measured before and after eating 100g of white bread (at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes). On their second and third study visits, they were given 1g and 2g respectively, of M. oleifera leaf powder, 30 minutes after eating the bread. The mean paired reduction in blood glucose at each time interval and the incremental area under the curve were calculated. Results: Ingestion of Moringa powder had no effect on blood glucose in non-diabetic participants, but in diabetic patients, it lowered blood glucose at 90 minutes. There was a trend towards lower incremental area under the curve when diabetic patients took 2g of Moringa. No side-effects were reported by any participant. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf powder reduced post-prandial glycaemia in diabetic patients. A larger study is needed to define the optimal dose and to assess whether this translates into longer-term benefits.

Impact of Moringa oleifera on the post-prandial blood glucose level among adults in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

“…Another study also showed no side among its participants after the intake of MO leaf powder capsules. 7 The limitations of current study were a short duration and small sample of the study. Therefore, further research work is needed to assess either MO leaf capsule also reduce HBA1c level and diabetes type 2 related complications as well with long term use of it or not.…”

“…It is usually present in the western sub-Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, however, nowadays, because of its high demand it has been planted for food and medicine in tropical Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. 7 In several parts of the world, MO has been used in the treatment of different diseases other than diabetes mellitus like diarrhea, infections, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and cancers. 8,9 In Thailand, it is used as daily food ingredient.…”

Ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Uganda

“…Rich. among others [25,172,193,295] (Table 4). Accordingly, all the tested plants showed the desired clinical effects [25,172,193,295].…”

“…among others [25,172,193,295] (Table 4). Accordingly, all the tested plants showed the desired clinical effects [25,172,193,295]. These therapeutic effects justify the use of the plants traditionally to treat DM across different communities in Uganda [17,23].…”