Effect of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves on serum C-peptide levels in alloxan mono-hydrate induced diabetic wistar albino rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Moringa oleifera is rich in phytochemicals, and in Uganda, its leaves, roots and seeds are widely consumed for self-medication by patients affected by diabetes mellitus, hypertension, HIV/AIDS and other medical conditions. The therapeutic management of diabetes without any side effects remains a challenge hence there is growing interest in evaluating herbal remedies, which are seen to be less toxic with negligible side effects such as M. oleifera Lam. Aim: To establish the effect of M. oleifera aqueous leaf extracts on serum C-peptide levels in alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic Wistar albino rats Methods: The experimental study conducted at the Department of Physiology animal house whereby 24 animals were recruited, to which 120 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate was intraperitoneally administered to overnight fasted animals to induce diabetes mellitus. The Wistar albino rats (n=24) were divided into 3 groups of diabetic animals; Group I received distilled water, Group II received 500 mg/kg bwt M. oleifera leaf aqueous extract, and Group III received 1000 mg/kg bwt M. oleifera leaf extract. Daily fasting blood glucose readings, and serum C-peptide levels on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the study were performed. Histopathological analysis of the tissue harvested from the tail of the pancreas collected from each group on day 21 of the study was also performed. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism, the level of statistical significance was fixed at p=0.05 and graphical presentation of the results made. Results: The treatment group that received 1000 mg/kg M. oleifera aqueous extract recorded a greater reduction in blood glucose (54.46%) (P=0.053) compared to 500 mg/kg (48.41%) (P=0.068) and the greatest was reduction recorded on day 21 of the experiment. The study found that there was an increase in C-peptide concentrations, 23.33% for the group receiving 500 mg/kg of M.oleifera extract compared to 24.90% for the group receiving 1000 mg/kg body weight. The results were statistically significant especially between day 1 and 14 (P=0.043) Conclusion: M. oleifera lowers blood glucose and increases C-peptide serum levels in a dose-dependent manner, which translates to its potential to be used as an antidiabetic agent.