Effects of Moringa oleifera in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

Diabetes is a complex chronic illness that is associated with serious long-term complications.1 In 2017, diabetes affected 30.2 million individuals in the United States, and the prevalence is expected to increase.2 Management of diabetes requires a variety of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. In addition, some patients may pursue complementary and alternative therapies. In 2012, it was estimated that 26.2% of US adults with diabetes used complementary and alternative medicines, with herbal therapies being the most common type.3 The effects of some herbal therapies, such as cinnamon, fenugreek, and milk thistle, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes have been investigated in clinical trials, with mixed results.4Moringa oleifera, a plant often referred to as the tree of life or miracle tree, has also recently been researched for this purpose.5 M. oleifera belongs to the genus Moringaceae, which is native to the tropics and sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.5 The immature green pods, also known as drumstick, can be prepared for consumption in various ways, such as cooking the pods (as with green beans) or preparing the leaves in a manner similar to preparation of spinach. In addition to glycemic control in diabetes, M. oleifera has been used for medicinal purposes in conditions such as asthma, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hormone disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. Based on human studies, the plant has been proposed to reduce glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion and sensitivity and by inhibiting amylase and glucosidase activities.6,7 Additional potential mechanisms of action (as indicated by animal studies) include increased glucose uptake in the muscles and liver, inhibition of glucose uptake in the intestine, and decreased gluconeogenesis in the liver.8-11