ABSTRACT

Background: The Moringa oleifera plant which is also known as miracle tree has been reported to have many medicinal uses with high nutritional values.  

Objective: This study, evaluated the effect of M. oleifera leaves as food supplement in Wistar rats. 

Methods: Two experimental feeds A containing no M. Oleifera and B having 15 % M. oleifera were prepared and analyzed for proximate composition. Rats were assigned into two groups and sustained on either feed A or B for 21 days. 24hrs after the last treatment, animals were sacrificed under anesthesia to collect blood and liver samples. Biochemical indices including total protein, alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined in rat plasma. The liver sections were fixed and used for histopathology examinations.

Results:  The M. oleifera diet did not adversely affect the levels of plasma alanine and aspartate transaminases but increased alkaline phosphatase. However, M. Oliefera diet reduced the levels of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride with concomitant increment in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also the low density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index were lowered by the M. oleifera diet relative to the control. Furthermore, the M. oleifera diet reduced level of plasma malondialdehyde but had no effect on reduced glutathione. There are no significant changes to liver cellular architecture between the two treatment groups.

Conclusion: The M. oleifera diet reduced rat plasma atherogenic index as well as the lipid peroxidation parameter in manners reminiscent of health improvement. 

Keywords: Medicinal plant; Diet supplement; Moringa oleifera; Lipid profile; Lipid peroxidation