A Review on the Antidiabetic Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts: Focusing on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Main Therapeutic Targets

Fikile T Mthiyane; Phiwayinkosi V Dludla; Khanyisani Ziqubu; Sinenhlanhla X H Mthembu; Ndivhuwo Muvhulawa; Nokulunga Hlengwa; Bongani B Nkambule; Sithandiwe E Mazibuko-Mbeje

doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.940572

A Review on the Antidiabetic Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts: Focusing on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Main Therapeutic Targets

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jul 11:13:940572. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.940572. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fikile T Mthiyane¹, Phiwayinkosi V Dludla², Khanyisani Ziqubu¹, Sinenhlanhla X H Mthembu^{1

2}, Ndivhuwo Muvhulawa¹, Nokulunga Hlengwa³, Bongani B Nkambule⁴, Sithandiwe E Mazibuko-Mbeje¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa.
² Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa.
⁴ School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is one of the popular plants that have shown significant health benefits. Certainly, preclinical evidence (predominantly from animal models) summarized in the current review supports the beneficial effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts in combating the prominent characteristic features of diabetes mellitus. This includes effective control of blood glucose or insulin levels, enhancement of insulin tissue sensitivity, improvement of blood lipid profiles, and protecting against organ damage under sustained conditions of hyperglycemia. Interestingly, as major complications implicated in the progression of diabetes, including organ damage, Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts could efficiently block the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and inflammation in these preclinical models. Notably, these extracts (especially leaf extracts) showed enhanced effects in strengthening intracellular antioxidant defences like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione to lower lipid peroxidation products and reduce prominent pro-inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (1L)-β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and nitric oxide synthase. From animal models of diabetes, the common and effective dose of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera was 100-300 mg/kg, within the treatment duration of 2-8 weeks. Whereas supplementation with approximately 20 g leaf powder of Moringa oleifera for at least 2 weeks could improve postprandial blood glucose in subjects with prediabetes or diabetes. Although limited clinical studies have been conducted on the antidiabetic properties of Moringa oleifera, current findings provide an important platform for future research directed at developing this plant as a functional food to manage diabetic complications.

Keywords: diabetes complications; inflammation; moringa (Moringa oleifera); oxidatie stress; therapeutic targets.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka Programme grant 128296 to SM-M. Funding from North-West University and the University of Zululand is also acknowledged. The work reported herein was made possible through funding by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) through its Division of Research of Capacity Development under the Early Investigators Programme from the South African National Treasury (funding number: HDID8682/MB2022/EIP052). The content hereof is the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the SAMRC. Also, all the content expressed in this review is the official views of the authors and do not represent that of the North-West University or the University of Zululand. FM acknowledges funding by the NRF, Thuthuka grant UID 128296 linked to SM-M.