Health benefits of Moringa oleifera : Used as an anti-diabetic agent

, Moringa


Introduction
The plant Moringa oleifera, sometimes called the "miracle tree," has been used for its therapeutic benefits for many years. It is a native of the Indian subcontinent, encompassing Bangladesh, and is frequently found in tropical and subtropical areas. Traditional medicine uses its leaves, pods, and seeds. In addition to being a highly well-liked crop and vegetable in India, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Sudan, and the Philippines, moringa is also produced throughout Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida, the United States, and the Pacific Islands (Anwar et al., 2007;Aslam and Asghar, 2021;Fahey, 2005;Olson et al., 2016;Stohs and Hartman, 2015). Moringa has been discovered to have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. It is also a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Various medical diseases like anaemia, diabetes, arthritic conditions, arterial disease, and skin infections have all been treated with it (Alegbeleye, 2018;Gopalakrishnan et al., 2016). Numerous research on the health advantages of M. oleifera has been undertaken throughout time, yet one of its most significant advantages is its anti-diabetic capabilities (Gopalakrishnan et al., 2016). High blood sugar levels are a defining feature of diabetes, a chronic condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide and is either caused by insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin (Teck, 2022). Due to its anti-diabetic effects, M. oleifera is now recognized as a viable contender in the new interest in natural treatments for diabetes (Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019). Numerous bioactive substances found in M. oleifera, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, have been linked to anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties both in vitro and animal investigations (Vergara-Jimenez et al., 2017). Because of its multiple health advantages, moringa has become more and more well-liked in Western nations in recent years. It has been utilized in many different ways, such as in supplements, teas, and powders (Islam et al., 2021;Kashyap et al., 2022).
An overview of M. oleifera's health advantages is intended in this review article, focusing on the plant's anti-diabetic qualities. We will review several research papers on the impact of M. oleifera on blood glucose levels, resistance to insulin, and other diabetes-related indicators. We will also go over how M. oleifera works to prevent diabetes (Table 1) (Efiong et al., 2013) M. oleifera Leaf The starch-iodine technique was used to test the in-vitro antidiabetic activity using the -amylase enzyme and the methanol extract demonstrated considerable anti-diabetic action (IC50 value 31.78 0.52 g mL -1 ). (Kalauni et al., 2023) M. oleifera Leaf A considerable contribution of the phenolic and flavonoid pools to the anti-diabetic action was revealed by statistical clustering of scored findings on inhibiting the -amylase andglucosidase enzymes.

Leaf
Quercetin, benzylamine, and chlorogenic acid are among the substances found in leaf tissue that may have a significant impact on this anti-diabetic effect. Additionally, we discovered that when comparing MO plants, MC had a somewhat more substantial impact on expression, abundance, and inhibitory action. (Shafi et al., 2022) M. oleifera Bark, leaf The higher bioavailability of the phytocompounds caused by nanosizing made moringa nanoparticles therapeutically more effective than the leaf extract. (Virk et al., 2023) M. oleifera Leaf, Seed In addition to improving insulin sensitivity, flavonoids change how carbohydrates are metabolized by controlling glycemic levels. Phenolic chemicals help to improve blood sugar regulation and reduce glucose resistance by upregulating the activity of glucose transporter (GLUT4) and downregulating the production of fatty acids and cholesterol. For type-2 diabetes, Moringa oleifera can be utilized as a supplemental treatment. (Santos et al., 2022) M. oleifera Leaf, Seed A wide range of other biological properties, such as those for wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, tissue protection, analgesic, antiulcer, antihypertensive, radioprotective, and immune-modulatory processes, is also demonstrated by moringa and its constituents. Additionally, it is utilized to increase bone strength, mental acuity, and vision. The health advantage is thought to be caused by a wide range of polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, and alkaloids. (Mehra et al., 2017) M. oleifera Flower In dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance models, the mice given EEMOF at 100 mg kg -1 and 200 mg kg -1 avoided the development of hyperglycemia, hypercholesteremia, and hypertriglyceridemia. In rats receiving dexamethasone, oral M. oleifera 100 mg kg -1 and 200 mg kg -1 decreases blood glucose, triglyceride, overall cholesterols, and LDL percentage and increases HDL concentration. After being given orally to rats, the lignin from M. oleifera showed a substantial anti-diabetic effect.

General uses of Moringa
Moringa has several uses; its leaves, mature pods, and young pods are all eaten as vegetables. Bark, capsules, foliage, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers are among the edible and valuable elements of the moringa plant. Fresh leaves are either consumed as veggies or dried and powdered to make tea. The green seed pods can be either raw or cooked. (Islam et al., 2021;States, 2023 Moringa possesses immune-supporting qualities that can assist the body's defenses (Islam et al., 2021;Xiao et al., 2020). Natural energy booster moringa can help reduce tiredness and promote endurance. Moringa can aid digestion improvement and relieve digestive problems, including bloating and constipation. Because of its hydrating and anti-aging qualities, moringa oil is a common component in skincare products (Loggins, 2023;Ma et al., 2023). By eliminating contaminants and dangerous germs, moringa seeds may be used to cleanse water (Desta and Bote, 2021). Asthma, diabetes, and high cholesterol are just a few ailments that moringa has been used to treat in traditional medicine (Islam et al., 2021;Vergara-Jimenez et al., 2017).

Nutritional properties of Moringa
A nutrient-rich plant called moringa can offer a variety of health advantages. While Moringa is usually considered safe to eat, it may interfere with some drugs, so it is essential to speak with a healthcare provider before including it in your diet (Islam et al., 2021;Thurber and Fahey, 2009). The nutritional properties of leaves and pods are mentioned in Table 2.   3-Hydroxy-4-(-l-rhamnopyranosyl oxy)benzyl glucosinolate, methionine, cysteine, 4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate, benzylglucosinolate, moringyne, mono-palmitic and di-oleic triglyceride Seed oil Vitamin A, 5-tert-Butyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene, Teracosane

Antidiabetic effect by Moringa
Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from the chronic metabolic illness known as diabetes mellitus. Increased blood glucose levels are caused by flaws in insulin production, insulin action, or, together defined (Teck, 2022). Since they provide a secure and efficient substitute for synthetic medications, there has been an increased fascination with using herbal remedies to treat diabetes in recent years. A particular plant that has been used to treat diabetes historically is M. oleifera, sometimes known as the drumstick tree (Mthiyane et al., 2022;Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019). This essay will review the current literature on the anti-diabetic effect of Moringa, focusing on its potential mechanisms of action. Numerous researchers have examined the hypoglycemic effects of moringa in diabetesrelated animal models. Rats with diabetes brought on by streptozotocin were given a waterbased extract of Moringa leaves in research (Chattopadhyay et al., 2011). It was discovered that the extract increased insulin secretion, decreased oxidative damage in the liver and pancreas, considerably reduced blood sugar levels, and improved glucose tolerance (Nova et al., 2020). According to a related study, diabetic rats fed with a hydro-alcoholic extract of Moringa leaves exhibited enhanced glucose tolerance, greater insulin sensitivity, and lower blood glucose levels than untreated rats (Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019;Villarruel-López et al., 2018).
Numerous studies have also been conducted to assess the anti-diabetic impact of moringa in humans, in addition to animal research. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research, diabetic patients received 90 days of treatment with Moringa leaf powder (Jaiswal et al., 2009). Compared to the placebo group, the therapy group substantially declined HbA1c, postprandial blood glucose, and fasting blood glucose levels. Another study discovered that moringa leaf extract dramatically lowered diabetes patients' fasting blood glucose levels (Nova et al., 2020).

Potential mechanisms of action of Moringa's anti-diabetic effect
Researchers have hypothesized several putative modes of action to clarify the anti-diabetic properties of moringa, which have been found in several trials. The high concentration of bioactive substances found in moringa, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, has been suggested as one of the plant's probable modes of action for its anti-diabetic effects. These substances have been demonstrated to have hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 13(1): 96-102, June 2023 antioxidant properties. For instance, the flavonoid quercetin found in Moringa leaves has enhanced muscle cell glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity (Abd Rani et al., 2018;Ahmad et al., 2019). Another flavonoid in Moringa leaves, kaempferol, has been demonstrated to improve insulin production and lessen oxidative stress in pancreatic beta-cells (Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019).
The capacity of Moringa to increase insulin sensitivity has been suggested as one of the processes behind its anti-diabetic effects. A hormone called insulin is essential for controlling blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, reduced insulin sensitivity is common in patients with diabetes, which raises blood sugar levels. Studies on diabetic rats have revealed that moringa can enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels (Ahmad et al., 2019;Mthiyane et al., 2022;Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019).
The capacity of Moringa to stave off oxidative stress is another potential explanation for its anti-diabetic effects. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the body's ability to neutralize them are out of balance, known as oxidative stress. Diabetes is one of the chronic illnesses this condition is linked to. The antioxidants in moringa, such as polyphenols, can scavenge ROS and guard against oxidative stress (Waterman et al., 2020). The antiinflammatory qualities of moringa could help explain why it has an anti-diabetic impact. A common feature of many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, is persistent inflammation. Studies have revealed that moringa can increase human insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation (Vargas-Sánchez et al., 2019).
The anti-diabetic effect of moringa may be attributed to its capacity to control lipid metabolism. Atypical lipid metabolism is common in people with diabetes, which can cause consequences including cardiovascular disease. Compounds found in moringa can control lipid metabolism and enhance lipid profiles in diabetic mice (Haber et al., 2020;Waterman et al., 2020).
In conclusion, several putative mechanisms of action, including the improvement of insulin sensitivity, defense against oxidative stress, reduction of inflammation, and regulation of lipid metabolism, have been put up to explain the antidiabetic activity of moringa. While further investigation is required to comprehend these pathways completely, the available information indicates that moringa could be a beneficial supplementary treatment for those with diabetes. According to research on humans and animals, moringa has a sizable anti-diabetic impact. Its high concentration of bioactive chemicals with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic characteristics is one of its putative modes of action. To determine the particular processes by which moringa works and to assess its long-term efficacy and safety in treating diabetes, more study is required.

Future prospects and Recommendations
Research shows its efficacy as an anti-diabetic drug has recently gained favourable findings. Some of M. oleifera's bioactive substances have hypoglycemic properties, meaning they can reduce blood sugar levels. Studies on humans and animals have demonstrated that M. oleifera can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. According to specific research, type 2 diabetics who took a dietary supplement with M. oleifera for 12 weeks saw a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar levels and an improvement in insulin sensitivity (Jaiswal et al., 2009;Kushwaha et al., 2014). Even though additional research is necessary to thoroughly understand the processes underlying M. oleifera's antidiabetic properties, the information suggests that the plant may be a proper all-natural remedy for individuals afflicted with the condition. The appropriate dosage, duration, adverse effects, and drug interaction of M. oleifera supplementation for anti-diabetic benefits need to be determined via further research. Clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer followup durations are also necessary to demonstrate their safety and efficacy.

Conclusion
A promising anti-diabetic medicine with a wide variety of health advantages is M. oleifera. Researchers have hypothesized several potential modes of action to explain the anti-diabetic properties of moringa, which have been observed in several preclinical and clinical investigations. The development of moringa as an anti-diabetic plant may be aided by its capacity to increase insulin sensitivity, defend against oxidative stress, lessen inflammation, and control lipid metabolism. Moringa is also a potent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive substances, making it a desirable choice for preventing and treating several chronic illnesses. More study is required to completely comprehend the processes underlying moringa's anti-diabetic activity and confirm its safety and efficacy in human patients. Despite this, the data points to moringa as a potential supplementary treatment for diabetes. It is an essential addition to the stockpile of all-natural goods with possible health advantages.