Hyperglycaemia and Oxidative Stress in Wistar Albino Rats: Effects of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera (Lam) Leaf

The hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera in alloxan induced Wistar albino rats were studied. The study was carried out on twelve male Wistar albino rats which were acclimatised for two weeks. At the end of one week after acclimatization, four rats were randomly selected with their weights and glucose concentration determined which were then sacrificed to determine the reduced glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity and catalase activity of the rats which served as Stage I (positive control animal group). The remaining rats which served as Stage II (diabetic negative control group) were injected intra-peritoneally with 0.5 mL of 40 mg/Kg body weight alloxan and continued feeding with rat feed and water for another week after which the weights and glucose concentration of the rats were determined followed by sacrifice of four rats to determine the reduced glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity and catalase activity. The remaining four rats which served as Stage III (treated animal group) were treated with 0.5 mL of 30% aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf for one week after which their weights and glucose concentration were determined followed by sacrifice of the four rats to determine the reduced glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity and catalase activity. It was observed that induction with alloxan caused a decrease in the weight; GSH and GPx of the rats with significantly increase in glucose concentration. However, treatment with Moringa oleifera extract demonstrated remarkable hypoglycaemic effect and restoration of weight and improved antioxidant properties.