The antidiabetic effect of low doses of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds on streptozotocin induced diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in male rats

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:381040. doi: 10.1155/2015/381040. Epub 2015 Jan 5.

Abstract

The antidiabetic activity of two low doses of Moringa seed powder (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, in the diet) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes male rats was investigated. Forty rats were divided into four groups. The diabetic positive control (STZ treated) group showed increased lipid peroxide, increased IL-6, and decreased antioxidant enzyme in the serum and kidney tissue homogenate compared with that of the negative control group. Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG), fasting blood sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also increased as a result of diabetes in G2 rats. Moreover albumin was decreased, and liver enzymes and α-amylase were not affected. In addition, the renal functions and potassium and sodium levels in G2 were increased as a sign of diabetic nephropathy. Urine analysis showed also glucosuria and increased potassium, sodium, creatinine, uric acid, and albumin levels. Kidney and pancreas tissues showed also pathological alteration compared to the negative control group. Treating the diabetic rats with 50 or 100 mg Moringa seeds powder/kg body weight in G3 and G4, respectively, ameliorated the levels of all these parameters approaching the negative control values and restored the normal histology of both kidney and pancreas compared with that of the diabetic positive control group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / enzymology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / complications
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / physiopathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drinking / drug effects
  • Electrolytes / blood
  • Fasting / blood
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Moringa oleifera / chemistry*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Streptozocin
  • alpha-Amylases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Glucose
  • Electrolytes
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • Plant Extracts
  • Streptozocin
  • alpha-Amylases