Effect of Moringa Oleifera Consumption During Lactation And Early Post-weaning Period On Diet-Induced Programming of Obesity In The Offspring of Wistar mice

Abstract

The fact that sub-optimal environments in utero and early postnatally alter development and predispose to lifelong health problems has been proven by a litany of human epidemiological and animal laboratory studies .This study was designed to investigate whether or not maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Moringa Oleifera, during lactation will affect the metabolic consequences of litter-reduced and litter-expanded offspring later in life. Thirty-two pregnant Wistar rats were used for this study. These rats were divided into two groups at delivery with each consisting of 16 rats. In group 1, the litters were reduced to four litters per dam to simulate over-nutrition while in group 2, litters where increased to eight litters per dam to simulate mild under-nutrition of the offspring. Each group was subdivided into 4 subgroups consisting of 4 dams in each subgroup. A- served as control group and were administered water only while B, C, and D -dams were given 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. Offspring food and fluid intake from weaning to postnatal day 42, glucose tolerance test and lipid profile on postnatal day 42 were determined. Results showed that extract treatment significantly improved the lipid profile of both subgroups 1 and 2 offspring. In conclusion, the findings suggested that administration of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera during lactation had a growth promoting effect on the offspring and may also protect against lipid derangement in the offspring later in life.