In vivo Evaluation of Antidiabetic Properties of Seed Oil of Moringa oleifera Lam

Aim: To investigate the antidiabetic properties of seed oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. Extracted with petroleum ether and dichloromethane and compared with glibenclimide.

Study Design: Experimental study design was adopted.

Methodology: The 2.0 ml/kg body weight (kg.bw) of the oil, 500 µg/kg.bw of glibenclimide and 2.0 ml/kg.bw of DMSO (Diabetic control group) were given orally to rats in their respective groups after induction with 130 mg/kg.bw of alloxan monohydrate.

Results: At 21st day, the glibenclimide treated group and oil extract of petroleum ether and dichloromethane treated groups showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in blood glucose level at 78.00, 51.16 and 77.31% respectively when compared with control that showed 3.25% increase. There was also significant (P<0.05) gain in body weight for both oil treated and glibenclimide groups as compared with diabetic control group. The cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the treated group with high density lipoprotein as compared with diabetic control group. Serum total bilirubin, total protein urea and creatinine of the oil treated groups and glibenclimide were significantly reduced (P<0.05) as compared with diabetic control group. Significant (P<0.05) high activities of liver enzymes AST (57.40±2.53) and ALT (68.94±0.90) with low mean percentage ratio of fresh organs to whole body weight (liver, kidney and spleen).

Conclusion: The seed oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. at 2 ml/kg.bw has significant antidiabetic properties on the diabetic rats in addition to improving the biochemical abnormalities arising from the disease.