Antioxidant and Anti-Obesity Potentials of Moringa oleifera Roots in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats

The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally. Obesity is associated with serious health complications, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Moringa oleifera root (MOR) contains bioactive compounds and antioxidants that may aid in weight reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-obesity potentials of MOR in obese rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening including total phenolic content of MOR extract was done following standard procedures. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The toxicity of the extract was also assessed using the brine shrimp lethality test. For the anti-obesity activity evaluation, thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control, negative control (distilled water), positive control (orlistat), MOR400 (400 mg/kg BW), and MOR200 (200 mg/kg BW). Obesity was induced in the rats by the administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) for seven weeks, followed by five weeks of treatment with MOR. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, as well as liver histopathology were also evaluated. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in MOR, with total phenolic content of 54.1±2.80 mg GAE/g. MOR exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 37.6±0.44 µg/mL) and weak toxicity (LC50 = 772.6±269.9 µg/mL). MOR extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced body weight, Lee index, and organ (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and spleen) weights in obese rats. Additionally, MOR improved liver histoarchitecture in obese rats. These findings suggest that MOR has potential anti-obesity effects. Further studies are needed to explore its mechanism of action and possible clinical application.