Supplementation with Moringa oleifera leaves flour prevents fructose-based metabolic disorders in young rats

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves flour is amply used to treat metabolic conditions. The aim was to assess the M. oleifera flour (MOF) on metabolic changes induced by fructose. Phenolic compounds were determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Wistar rats were distributed in groups: 1) Control (normal-chow + water); 2) Fructose (normal-chow + fructose (20%) in water) and 3) Feed with MOF20% + fructose (20%) in water. At the end of the 4th week of treatment, the animals were submitted to insulin resistance (IR) test, blood collection and histological evaluation. MOF contains phenolic compounds such as quercetin and chlorogenic acid. MOF supplementation promotes reduction in glycemia, insulin, triglycerides. The supplementation improved the insulin sensitivity. In the histological analysis, MOF supplementation reduced the adipocyte hypertrophy and the lipid deposition in the liver. The data obtained showed that MOF supplementation presented a protective effect against the harmful consequences of excessive fructose consumption. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, fructose, mice