Antidiabetic Potential of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Moringa Peregrina Leaves: Implication as Functional Food for Prophylactic Intervention in Prediabetic Stage

• Published in: Journal of food biochemistry 2015-08, Vol.39 (4), p.360-367
• Main Authors: Ullah, Mohammad Fahad, Bhat, Showket H., Abuduhier, Faisel M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0145-8884; 1745-4514
• DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12140

In recent years, the herbal and dietary sources of bioactive components having pharmacological properties and therapeutic significance in traditional system of medicine have attracted much attention in complementary and adjuvant therapies. Some preclinical studies on animal models have shown benefits of Moringa species such as M. oleifera in experimentally induced diabetes. Most of these studies have taken the anti‐hyperglycemic effect as the end‐point indicator of antidiabetic properties. The present study has explored the antidiabetic potential of M. peregrina, another species of Moringa, native to Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The hydro‐alcoholic (methanol‐aqueous) extract of the dried leaves of the plant demonstrated inhibitory activity against three in vitro models of enzyme assay (α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV) critical for diabetes management. The antioxidant property was also evaluated which correlated with the phytochemical analysis of the extracts displaying the presence of phenolics, tannins and saponins. These findings provide partial evidence to support the traditional use of Moringa in diabetes and endorse its regular consumption as functional food for high‐risk populations at the borderline prediabetic stage. Practical Applications M. peregrina is commonly consumed as food and serves as an important ingredient in traditional medicine in Arabian peninsula. The assessment of the antidiabetic potential of the plant provides an insight into its application as functional food and in nutraceutical development for prophylactic intervention in hyperglycemic conditions.