Uma revisão sobre o uso terapêutico de folhas de Moringa oleifera: eficaz e seguro no tratamento de diabetes?

Abstract

Moringa oleifera L. (Moringaceae) has been becoming popular in Brazil due to its high nutritional content and is widely used in food supplementation. Lately, many studies have been published about its action in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and in several other biological activities, such as antioxidant, tissue protector, antihypertensive and immunomodulator. However, its growing irrational use by the population has triggered the prohibition of the use and commercialization of Moringa-based products in Brazil by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). In this scenario, this study aimed to conduct a literature review to assess the safety of use and the potential antidiabetic action of M. oleifera leaves. For this purpose, 46 non-clinical studies (12 - in vitro/31 - in vivo and 3 - in vivo toxicological) and 12 clinical studies were analyzed. The studies analyzed pointed to a promising antidiabetic activity. However, the lack of methodological standardization of the studies weakened the strength of scientific evidence on their efficacy and safety, so that more studies must be tissue in order to prove them. It should also be noted that no adverse effects were reported during clinical studies.