Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Effect of Moringa Oleifera on Bone Density in Post-Menopausal Women

Moringa Oleifera (M. Oleifera) is a tropical plant native to northern India, Pakistan, Himalayan regions, Africa, Central America, and Arabia that has been used for centuries in ethnic cultures all over the world. M. Oleifera is exceptionally rich in a variety of nutrients and medicinal phytochemicals, including those that promote bone density, such as vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and others. M. Oleifera also contains micronutrients that play a critical role in bone health and in calcium absorption, such as boron, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and others. For instance, boron stabilizes and extends the half-life of vitamin D; magnesium (Mg) affects the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, as well as bone homeostasis by modulating the concentration of parathormone and the activated form of vitamin D. Magnesium also contributes to bone structural development; vitamin K reduces bone turn over, improves bone strength and plays an essential role in osteocalcin carboxylation and vitamin C increases bone density and strength by increasing collagen formation and promotes healing during fracture. Collectively, these micronutrients in M. Oleifera are expected to significantly impact bone health. Given this knowledge, the purpose of the present study is to determine the effects of M. Oleifera on the structure and function of bone in post-menopausal women ingesting 1 gram of M. Oleifera daily for 12 weeks using DEXA scans.

The fresh young leaves of Moringa oleifera (about 2 years old) were collected by Dr. Joshua Idassi, from a field and high tunnel plots at the North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University farm in July, 2014. Botanical identification and authentication were performed by Dr. Joshua Idassi, Natural Resources Specialist, from the Cooperative Extension Program, North Carolina A & T. A voucher specimen (LUH 2923) was deposited in the herbarium of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. Fresh leaves of M. Oleifera were air-dried for about 7 days at 30 ◦C and macerated into a fine powder.

Twenty-four untrained post-menopausal women (60-70 years old) were randomly assigned to either the control or placebo group (no program) or the experimental /treatment group (M. Oleifera supplement group). Both groups orally ingested 1 gram (1000 mg) daily of cabbage (placebo) or M. Oleifera (treatment group) leaf powder in capsules for 12 weeks. The bone scans were then taken pre-supplementation and after 12 weeks to determine the effects of M. Oleifera on various bone parameters, including bone mass density, bone mineral content, and select anthropomorphic results including weight, body fat percentage, and lean mass percentage.

The first visit to the laboratory by participants was utilized for providing them with general information and as a testing session. Specifically, the information session consisted of educating them on and obtaining signatures for informed consent, and conducting health history and physical activity questionnaire. The first testing session consisted of obtaining the pre-supplementation DEXA scans. The participants were then given six weeks' worth of their supplement. The subjects came back to the testing site again at six weeks (midway of supplementation) to pick up their supplement for the last six weeks and were then instructed on how to fill out a three-day diet log. The diet log was analyzed and averaged using the USDA Super Tracker online program. The third and last visit was 12 weeks after the start of supplementation and during this visit the second set of DEXA scans were obtained and the diet records were obtained. These records were used to determine the normal diet nutrients as well as caffeine intake of the participants.

DEXA scanning allows for the measurement of whole body bone density, as well as the specific density of the hip and femoral head. The subjects were laid on the DEXA machine scanner motionless for 6-10 minutes while the scan was performed. The first scan measured total body bone density, as well as the basic body composition. The subject were then asked to lay motionless for another 6-10 minutes while another DEXA scan was completed, which measured the bone density and characteristics of the hip and femoral head.The BMD, t-score and z-scores of the whole body were recorded, as well as the BMD, t-score, and z-scores of the right and left total hip and femoral necks. These data points were used to determine whether there were any significant differences between the two groups after the intervention period.

The supplementation of the M. Oleifera was began after the first visit which included the signing of the consent form, the performance of the pQCT and the DEXA scans. Once the subjects were scanned they (subjects) were randomly assigned to either the placebo or the M. Oleifera group. The M. Oleifera group was given the whole leaf M. Oleifera powder in capsule form at 1000mg daily for 12 weeks and similarly the control group was given the same amount of cabbage powder in capsule form and route. However, the placebo capsule consisting of cabbage had significantly lower levels of vitamins and nutrients compared to M. Oleifera. M. Oleifera was harvested and processed under optimal conditions and was carefully weighed on a scale and packed into capsules under sterile conditions. Each capsule for both groups contained 500 mg of the supplement, implying that each participant regardless of their weight took two capsules daily orally for 12 weeks. If they missed a day they were instructed not to double the dosage the next day. The placebo group was given the exact same instructions for consumption as the M. Oleifera group, and the study was conducted in a double blind manner. The dietary records were collected and analyzed to determine any significant differences between the two groups based on normal daily consumed nutrients.