Fasting and Post-Prandial Effect of Moringa Stem Extract on Glucose and Fasting Lipids on Healthy Residents of Rivers State

Abstract

Moringa plant is an ancient medicinal plant that is widely researched using its leaves, but limited work is done on the stem. Empirical studies using albino rats reveal how good Moringa leaves are in combating hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. The study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of moringa stem on glucose and lipids of healthy residents in Rivers State. The extract was prepared from the stem of Moringa plant and given to healthy participants in the morning on fasting, food was given and blood samples collected two hours later compare its effect on glucose levels. A pilot study was carried out to determine a safe dose to be administered. One hundred and eighteen (118) healthy residents of Umueze Afara Community in Etche and Rumuepirikom community in Obio-Akpor with ages ranging from 18-80 years participated in this study. They were divided into three groups (A, B & C). Group A were given 400ml (6.8g) of Moringa stem extract, Group B, 300ml (5.1g) of Moringa stem extract and group C, 200ml (3.4g) of the stem extract. Fasting plasma glucose and lipids were estimated quantitatively using the glucose oxidase method and enzymatic method. Data was generated using Graph pad Prism 6.1 and Microsoft Excel. Mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, standard error of mean was calculated and comparison of the fasting and 2hrs postprandial of glucose and lipids were calculated using students t-test and results were considered significant at p < 0.05 for the subjects. Mean standard deviation in group A (400ml of moringa extract) for fasting blood sugar was not significant after two hours of administration.TC, TC and HDL were also observed to have a non-significant value, whereas LDL had a significant reduction after two hours at p < 0.05. In group B, (300ml of moringa extract) there was no significant reduction in FBS after two hours, a significant reduction is seen in lipids parameters after two hrs of administration of the extract. Group C (200ml of moringa extract) had no significant reduction in FBS, TC, TG and LDL after two hours of administration. HDL was observed to be significantly reduced after two hours of administration at p > 0.05. Moringa stem extract does not have any significant effect on glucose levels as claimed by the populace, but we observed a significant reduction in lipids levels at 300ml of extract administration.