EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA ON LIPID PROFILE, BLOOD PRESSURE AND BODY MASS INDEX IN HUMAN

*Samuel Adinoyi Seriki, Blessing Omolaso, Olutunde Ademola Adegbite, Abigail Iyabo Audu

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In recent years, Moringa oleifera have become a subject of interest because of its characteristics, which are beneficial to human health. In this study, the effect of Moringa oleifera on Lipid Profile, Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index was investigated. Method: 16 human subjects were randomly divided into two groups, viz group 1 were given 0.03g/kg bw of Moringa oleifera (powdered) and group 2 were given 0.07g/kg bw of Moringa oleifera (powdered). The study was conducted for a period of 15 days. The blood pressure, body weight and height were measured on day 1, day 7 and day 15. The changes in lipid profile, blood pressure and body mass index were measured and the results were compared statistically, using the student T- test. Results: The lipid profile component Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Total cholesterol and Triglycerides, respectively, showed no significance (P<0.05). The blood pressure slightly decreased from 132.57±3.33mmHg to 127.71±3.75mmHg and 129.29±4.76mmHg on day 7 and day 15 respectively for group 1, from 131.56±2.90mmHg to 131.44± 2.60mmHg and 129.67±2.65mmHg on day 7 and day 15 respectively for group 2. The body mass index also slightly decreased from 27.09±1.46kg/m2 to 26.46±1.52 kg/m2 and to 26.03±1.42kg/m2 on day 7 and day 15 respectively for group 1, from 26.02±0.60kg/m2 to 25.45±0.61kg/m2 and 25.18±0.63kg/m2 on day 7 and day 15 respectively for group 2. These were not statistically significant at p< 0.05. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera does not have a significant effect on lipid profile; and there were non-statistically significant drops in the level of blood pressure and body mass index at the end of the 14 days period of this study in normal human subjects.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Lipid Profile Level, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index.