Hypoglycemic Effect of Dried Moringa Oleifera Leaf Powder Produced in the Saharawi Refugee Camps

Moringa Oleifera (MOR) ranks highest among plants worldwide for nutritional and therapeutic potential including type 2 diabetes (DIAB) and flexibility to environments as desert. People in Saharawi camps (Tindouf, Algers) suffer dependence on aids based on rice, wheat flour, dried beans, canned tuna, refined sugars and restriction of fresh fruit and vegetables, predisposing to DIAB. Therefore, MOR has been experimentally grown in the CEFA (Centro experimental de formaccion agricola) for livestock and human nutrition. Aim: To evaluate in healthy (CON) and DIAB subjects living in the Saharawi refugee camps, the hypoglycemic effect of local MOR. Methods: 9 DIAB on metformin (59±3 yr 4F/5M), 11 CON (41±3 yr 7F/4M) received in random order on different days, meals (rice and chicken) differing for 20g dried MOR leafs powder added. Capillary glucose concentrations (Glc) were measured every 30m up to 3h. Results: GLC in DIAB was higher than in CON at basal (264±12 vs. 99±3 mg/dl p<0,001) and subsequently. In whole group and DIAB GLC was approx 40 mg/dl lower with MOR (257±37 vs. 296±31 mg/dl p=0,010 at 90m and 245±35 vs. 284±28 p=0,005 at 120m, Figure). Mean GLC meal response and peak increment were significantly lower with MOR in the whole group. Conclusion: MOR leafs powder reduces meal GLC response in uncompensated DIAB. Study limits: capillary blood measures. Strengths: random crossover design, local production and execution.