Effects of Moringa oleifera on Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose Level in Healthy Humans

Moringa oleifera is one of the many plants used today for treating various pathological conditions. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf on blood glucose, blood pressure and temperature in normal conditions. The study is divided into two independent phases: acute phase and chronic phase. 34 participants took part in the acute phase. Subjects in this phase were divided into 5 groups of 6-8 participants. Group 1 was given water only, Group 2 received 75g oral glucose load and 2 hours later was given 75mg/kg dose of M. oleifera, Group 3 was given 75mg/kg dose of M. oleifera and received 75g oral glucose load 2 hours later. Group 4 was given 75g oral glucose load only, Group 5 received 75mg/kg M. oleifera only. Baseline readings for blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature were taken for groups 1 to 4 in their fasting state, while group 5 baseline readings were taken as random blood glucose. 16 participants divided into two groups took part in the chronic phase of the study. Group 6 subjects received 37.5mg/kg doses while Group 7 received 75mg/kg doses of M. oleifera. M. oleifera decreased blood pressure significantly (P<0.05) after two hours of administration. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in pulse rate two hours after M. oleifera administration in the fed state and after an oral glucose load, while temperature also decreased significantly after two hours of M. oleifera administration. Blood glucose decreased significantly after 4 hours of administration of M. oleifera only. For the group taking glucose before M. oleifera, there was a peak decrease of 18.7% just after 30 minutes. There was no significant change in blood glucose level for the group that received M. oleifera in the fasting state. Intake of M. oleifera daily for 14 days reduced blood glucose level independent of the dose received. It has been observed that M. oleifera leaf is effective in reducing blood glucose particularly when levels are high but have no significant effect on normal fasting blood glucose levels. Blood pressure decreases 2 hours after M. oleifera intake across the groups. Pulse rate and body temperature have also been found to decrease as a result of Moringa oleifera leaf intake.