Effects of Moringa oleifera extract on inflammaging markers, muscle mass, and physical endurance in geriatric mice model

A comprehensive approach to managing frailty is required due to the increasing number of elderly. Physical frailty, associated with inflammatory processes and a loss of muscle mass, can significantly impair health status. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Lam. leaf extract on frailty in geriatric mice model. An experimental study was conducted using a post-test-only control group design using <i>Mus musculus</i> Balb/C mice aged eight weeks. The animals were divided into five groups: negative control group received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline (0.5 cc/day) for eight weeks, positive control group received D-galactose (150 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day) only, and three treatment groups treated with 150 mg/kg of D-galactose intraperitoneally for eight weeks followed by 100 mg/kg BW, 200 mg/kg BW, and 400 mg/kg BW of <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf extract orally for five weeks. At the end of the study, the blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and caspase-3, as well as caspase-3 expression in skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle mass fibrosis, and physical endurance were measured. The results showed that a dose of 400 mg/kg/day of <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf extract had the most significant effect on lowering MDA, TGF-β, and caspase-3 expression in skeletal muscle tissue, skeletal muscle fibrosis, and improved physical endurance compared to other groups (<i>p</i> < 0.001). This study highlights that <i>M. oleifera</i> leaf extract reduced frailty in geriatric mice model-induced using D-galactose by reducing inflammaging factors, thereby improving physical endurance.