Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess and compared the effects of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves on wound healing in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced experimentally by high fat diet with low dose of streptozotocin(STZ, 25mg/kg, i.p.) in Wistar rats (180-220g) and wounds were created on the dorsal surface of the hind paw of the rats. Diet supplemented with 5% and 10% Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves were fed type 2 diabetic rats and the aqueous extract of these leaves (10mg/ml) were applied topically on the wounds for 14 days. Biochemical and molecular parameters were evaluated in wound tissue lysates and serum of the rats. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin level type 2 diabetic rats fed Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves (5% and 10%) supplemented diets when compared to type 2 diabetic rats. Also, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in percentage wound closure anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) level and a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in the wound tissue lysates when aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves (10mg/ml) were applied topically on the wounds. The combination of 10% Moringa oleifera leaves supplemented diet and topical application of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (10mg/ml) produced the highest wound closure rate compared with diabetic control while 10% Moringa stenopetala leaves supplemented diet had the highest effect in reducing the hyperglycemia, Hb1Ac, α-glucosidase activity level in type 2 diabetes.
