Antidiabetic and anti-oxidant activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The effect of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera Lamk. leaves (MOLE) in the treatment of diabetes along with its antioxidant activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats was determined in the current study. Oral administration of MOLEt @ 125 and 250 mg/kg for 20 days significantly prevented the STZ- induced hyperglycemia. Administration of the extracts at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight/day resulted in a marked decrease in the levels of fasting blood glucose and urine sugar. The extract also produced a significant decrease in peroxidation products, viz.. thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The activity of reduced glutathione and glycogen content were found to be increased in the hepatic tissue of SiZ- diabetic rats treated with MOLEL. STZ-diabetic rats treated with MOLEt significantly reversed all these changes to near normal. The MOLBt thus exhibits antidiabetic and anti-oxidative activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.