Moringa oleifera LAM

Moringa oleifera Lam, a plant renowned for its medicinal and nutritional properties, has been widely consumed globally. However, its ethanol root extract, though utilized in traditional medicine, has not been extensively characterized for its anti-nutritional composition. This study aimed to quantify the levels of anti-nutritional properties present in the ethanol extract of M. oleifera Lam and to validate the health implications of consuming this extract. Using standardized analytical techniques, the ethanol root extract was assessed for its content of cyanide, oxalate, and phytate. The results showed significant levels of these anti-nutrients, with 0.32133333 mg/g of cyanide, 2..2 mg/g of oxalate, and 0.74255 mg/100g of phytate.These findings suggest that excessive consumption of the ethanol root extract may pose health risks due to the potential toxicity of these compounds. However, this study also highlights the potential benefits of these anti-nutrients in moderation, including their antioxidant properties, ability to regulate calcium levels, and support blood sugar control. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the antinutritional composition of the ethanol root extract of M. oleifera Lam and emphasize the need for proper processing and dosage to maximize its nutritional benefits while minimizing its potential health risks

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tree plant specie belonging to the family Moringaceae and it is widely used for various medicinal purposes. This study is aimed at determining the effect of sub- chronic administration of ethanol root extract of M. oleifera on the blood sugar level of non- diabetic Wistar rats. Eighteen adult albino Wistar rats, weiging between 157 g to 292 g were used for the study. The animals were divided into four groups, namely: Groups I, II, III and IV(Control). The extract was prepared using fresh roots of the plant collected from Obe Quarters, Benin City, Edo State. The roots of the plant were shade dried and were grinded to powder form. The extract was obtained by cold maceration of the powdered roots in 99% ethanol at room temperature for 72 hours, filtered and evaporated to dryness in a drying oven at 50°C. Groups I, II and III orally received 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of ethanol root extract of M. oleifera respectively for a period of 21 days while the control group was administered distilled water only. The blood sugar level of each of the treated rats was measured after 24 hours of extract administration, and subsequently on Day 7, 14 and 21 by reading a strip of blood sample collected from the tail vein using a glucometer test kit. From the results obtained, it was observed that the blood sugar levels in all the treatment groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. In conclusion, ethanol root extract of M. oleifera does not have any negative impact on normal glycemic values in Wistar rats.