Ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves shows Anti-hyperglycemic potencies on experimental Wistar rats: a focus on optimization of biomarkers of type 2 diabetes

Abstract To improve the traditional use of Moringa oleifera for the management of type 2 diabetes, the potent plant parts (seeds, leaves, stem bark, roots) must be specified and the appropriate dosage should be quantified. This research reports quantitative findings on the antihyperglycaemic properties of M. oleifera leaves. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats, were treated with iterative levels of the ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (X1). Time of exposure (X2) of the rats to the extract, concentration, and time of storage of the leaf sample before extraction (X3) were monitored. The biomarkers of type 2 diabetes in the rats were monitored in a response surface model to optimize the ideal conditions for the antihyperglycaemic effects of M oleifera leaves. Haemoglobin count increased from ≤11.25mmol/L) to 15.88 mmol/L) as the dose of the extract and time increased. Diabetic rats were glutathione deficient (70-98 mg/ml), which improved to 300mg/dL after treatment. Serum Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was 170 mm/moL in diabetic rats and 300 mmol/mL in fully treated rats. Blood glucose of STZ-induced diabetic rats (over 220mg/dL) decreased to normal levels of 70-90 mg/dl. The extract was safe at 2250 mg/kg body weight. Fifty (50) g of shade-dried ethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves stored for less than 3 months restored STZ-induced diabetes in Wistar rats within 28 days.