Effects of Aqueous Moringa oleifera Seed Extract on Glycaemic Status, Haematological Parameters, Pancreatic Histology, and Insulin Expression in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats
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Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Moringa oleifera has potential antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic properties, but its seed extract effects on glycaemic control, haematology, pancreatic histology, and insulin expression remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated aqueous Moringa oleifera seed extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups (n = 5): normal control, diabetic control, 200 mg/kg extract, 400 mg/kg extract, and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg), followed by four weeks of oral treatment. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, and haematological parameters were assessed. Pancreatic tissues underwent histology and insulin immunohistochemistry, with β-cell morphometry by image analysis. Longitudinal data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models with group, time, and group × time interaction as fixed effects, followed by Holm-adjusted pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05).
Results: A significant group × time interaction occurred for fasting blood glucose. Both extract doses significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by Day 28 versus diabetic control. Extract treatment improved selected haematological parameters, including red blood cell count, haemoglobin, and platelet indices. Histology showed improved islet architecture and β-cell preservation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased insulin expression, while morphometry showed improvements in islet area, insulin-positive area, β-cell fraction, and β-cell diameter versus untreated diabetic rats.
Conclusion: Aqueous Moringa oleifera seed extract demonstrated antihyperglycaemic activity and was associated with improved haematological and pancreatic parameters. Further preclinical investigation is warranted.
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