Effect of malunggay (Moringa oleifera) capsules on lipid and glucose levels

Mark Anthony S Sandoval, Cecilia A Jimeno

Acta Med Philippina 47 (3), 22-27, 2013

Moringa oleifera Lam., locally known as “malunggay,” is widely consumed as a vegetable in the
Philippines. The leaves are usually added in common viands, and the fruits or pods are eaten as a
vegetable dish. It is known as horse radish tree or drumstick tree in other English-speaking countries.

There are popular but yet unproven claims that malunggay is used for the treatment of high cholesterol
and diabetes mellitus. There are, however, several animal studies that have shown positive effects.
Mehta et al. In 2003 have shown that the administration for 120 days of M. Oleifera fruit, like lovastatin,
was able to lower the serum cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL),
low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol ratio and atherogenic index, and was able to increase the high
density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio compared to the corresponding control groups in rabbits. One proposed
mechanism of action is that M. Oleifera promotes gastrointestinal excretion of cholesterol as M.
Oleifera-treated rabbits had higher levels of cholesterol in their feces.

Sharrah Maye Castro, Conie Delos Reyes, Mariel Kimberly, Samaicca Claire Etang Dimaano, Eriqua
Miejaela Talucod, Laura Melissa Madonna Torres, Judilynn Solidum, Rose Anne Chua

Food and Public Health 4 (4), 200-203, 2014

Abstract Background: Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) was considered a promising functional

food because of the many nutrients, minerals and vitamins present in its leaves, seeds and
bark. Objective: To determine the changes in glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant capacity
in humans with moderately raised serum glucose and cholesterol levels after consumption
of malunggay leaves supplemented-food products. Materials and Methods: Test foods are
buns, fish sausage and veggie soup with and without malunggay leaves powder. Thirty-
eight participants were randomly grouped into control and experimental, given foods
without and with malunggay. The total amount of dietary fiber containing malunggay leaves
powder was 14.4 g while without malunggay was 9.3 g. Results: Serum blood glucose from
baseline to endline for the control group was still considered moderately raised (6.2 to 5.6
mmol/L) while in the experimental group resulted from moderately raised (5.8 mmol/L) to
normal serum glucose (5.0 mmol/L; P< 0.05). Hemoglobin A1C measurements were within
the normal limits for both groups. A decreasing trend in TC and LDL-C, and an increasing
trend in HDL-C and antioxidant capacity were observed in the experimental group.
Conclusion: Malunggay leaves supplemented-food products decreased fasting blood sugar
and may have a promising effect for cholesterol-lowering.