WOUND HEALING PROPERTIES OF LEAVES OF TWO HORSERADISH SPECIES(MORINGA OLEIFERA(Lam) AND MORINGA STENOPETALA(Cufodontis)) IN DIABETIC RATS

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.