Effect of moringa oleifera with and without metformin on an experimental model of metabolic syndrome in rats

Metabolic syndrome is a multiplex risk factor characterized by the presence of obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Moringa Oliefera is a herbal medicine which showed beneficial effects on blood glucose and lipid profile in experimental and human studies. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Moringa Oliefera leaves extract in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome. High-carbohydrate, high-fat (HCHF) diet was used for induction of metabolic syndrome in rats which showed its effects through elevation of blood glucose and enhanced insulin resistance as evidenced by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA- IR). Also, there were elevated levels of TNF? and leptin together with reduced adiponectin levels as well as development of hepatic steatosis as evidenced by liver histopathology and elevated hepatic enzymes. Rats treated with Moringa oliefera and metformin alone or in combination showed a significant improvement of lipid profile, insulin resistance, reduction of elevated TNF? and leptin and elevation of depleted adiponectin together with improvement of hepatic histopathological changes and liver enzymes. These beneficial effects were more pronounced when Moringa was combined with metformin which led to the conclusion that Moringa Oliefera leaves extract could be used as a supplement in addition to metformin for treatment of metabolic syndrome given the paucity of effective therapeutic modalities for this growing epidemic.