ABSTRACT
Background: Moringa oleifera Lam. is known to be of high nutritional and medicinal importance and has been demonstrated to possess a variety of biological activities. Objective: This study investigated the beneficial role of M. oleifera (moringa) supplementation in HIV positive subjects receiving antiretroviral drugs. Methods: Adult HIV positive individuals (104) attending the medical outpatient clinic in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAARTs) were recruited in a randomized fashion for the study. Half of the subjects received moringa supplement (20 mg daily) additionally, while the others received only HAART and represented the control group. All subjects were monitored for 3 months during which their immunological status (CD4 counts and TNF-α), and hematological abnormalities at pre (baseline) and post study periods were determined. Results: Baseline levels of CD4 increased while TNF-α decreased significantly in control and moringa supplemented groups (p < 0.01). However, the post study CD4 values in the moringa group were higher and TNF-α values were lower compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In addition, baseline hematological abnormalities (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia) were improved but most significantly in the moringa supplemented subjects. Conclusion: The results suggest that moringa has immune-beneficial properties and improved hematological abnormalities in HIV positive individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pharmaceutical Preparations , HIV Infections , CD4 Lymphocyte Count , Dietary Supplements , Moringa oleifera , Anemia , LymphopeniaABSTRACT
Diet and nutrition are important factors in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout the entire life course. A plant-based diet may be able to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, obesity, chronic inflammation and cancer. Phytonutrient rich foods are found in traditional African diet which is mostly vegetarian, and most of these food plants are often used for medicinal purposes. This review focuses on a peculiar plant Moringa oleifera, called the "Miracle Tree", considered to be one of nature's healthiest and most nutritious foods. Countless studies describe the benefits of Moringa leaves, pods, seeds and flowers. Its well-documented role in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases is hypothesized here as a result of possible of cross-kingdom regulation by exogenous vegetal microRNAs and synergistic action of plant bioactive components on endogenous human microRNA regulation. The potential health impact of phytocomplexes from African dietary plants within the context of cross-kingdom and endogenous microRNA regulation on health improvement and the overall economic well-being of the continent is estimated to be enormous
Subject(s)
Africa , Chronic Disease , Dietary Supplements , Moringa oleifera/therapeutic use , Plants, MedicinalABSTRACT
Moringa oleifera (LAM), arbre tropical à usages multiples, constitue de nos jours une nouvelle ressource alimentaire et économique pour les pays du Sud. Ces feuilles sont faciles d'accès et très riches en protéines, en vitamines et en minéraux. Elles sont de plus en plus utilisées dans des projets luttant contre la malnutrition. Cependant, le goût, la présentation et la qualité de ces produits demeurent une préoccupation majeure nécessitant des adaptations innovantes. L'objectif de cette étude était d'étudier la comprimabilité des poudres de feuilles de Moringa oleifera en améliorant le goût avec des matières premières locales et facilement accessibles comme la poudre de pulpe de Andansonia digitata. Les propriétés physico-chimiques et les tests pharmacotechniques ont permis de contrôler la qualité des poudres, des comprimés et orienter le choix du procédé de fabrication. Cinq (5) types de formulations (F1 à F5) ont été réalisés et les comprimés ont été fabriqués par compression après granulation par la voie sèche. Les comprimés des formulations F4 et F5 ont donné de meilleures propriétés pharmacotechniques selon les recommandations de la pharmacopée Européenne 6.0. L'association des deux poudres offre une alternative pour la fabrication de comprimés à croquer avec un goût acceptable
Subject(s)
Adansonia , Burkina Faso , Chemical Phenomena , Moringa oleifera , Quality ControlABSTRACT
A study on the protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in acute alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was evaluated. Rats fed alcohol only produced significant increase in the levels of enzyme markers of tissues damage (ALT; AST and ALP); lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and decreased serum vitamin C levels compared to normal control rats. Pretreatment with 100 and 200mg/kg body weight of extract significantly decreased the levels of enzyme markers; lipid peroxidation and markedly increased serum vitamin C level in a dose-dependent manner. Post-treatment with 200mg/kg body weight of extract significantly enhanced the recovery of animals from hepatic damage compared to untreated control. Lipid peroxidation and depletion of vitamin C due to oxidative stress could be the possible mechanisms of alcohol induced toxicity and the protective effect of the extract could be as a result of its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and prevent the depletion of vitamins C