Considering Kelor Leaves as an Alternative Cure for Diabetes Melitus Type II, Is It Worth a Try?

Moringa oleifera, as known as Kelor in Indonesia, is a plant that has many health benefits for the
body. It has been used in China, India, and many part of the world as a traditional medicine. It even
gained the name “The Miracle Tree” because it’s believed that Moringa oleifera can treat many kind
of disease, including chronic disease. Many scientific papers have mentioned its health benefits, for
instance: anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-
diuretic, and anti-diabetic effect. In this essay, I want to review the efficacy of Moringa oleifera in
treating diabetes mellitus.

Kelor contains polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannin, which are phenolic compounds. Phenolic
compound, mainly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) contains hypoglycemic effect. Another reason
why kelor is said to have the ability to treat diabetic patients is because it also contains methanol.
Methanol extract of Moringa oleifera fruit powder has produced N-Benzyl thiocarbamates, N-benzyl
carbamates, benzyl nitrites and a benzyl; which are proven to trigger insulin secretion significantly
from rodent pancreatic beta cells (Francis et al., 2004 in Razis et al., 2014). Meanwhile, the same
scientific papers also mentioned that maybe the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activity of the
leaves of Moringa oleifera are due to presence of terpenoids, which appears to be involved in the
stimulation of the beta-cells and subsequent secretion of performed insulin (Tende et al., 2011 in
Razis et al., 2014).

So, are these all bioactive compounds that Moringa oleifera contains effective enough to lower the
blood glucose level in human? Well, let’s take a deep dive in this matter . At first, we need to
overview the method that the authors used and the result which the authors get from their
research. In this research conducted by Fombang and Saa, it involved two subjects, rats and human.
Both the rats and human are divided into two groups, the control group and treatment group. All of
the subjects fasted for 12 hours and after that their fasting glucose level was measured. Not long
after that, the control group were given distilled water meanwhile the treatment group were given
Moringa tea at different concentration. Thirty minutes later, glucose was given to all the subjects.
Exception for rat subjects; the control group was also divided into two group, the positive control
and the negative control. The negative control group was only given distilled water thirty minutes
after their glucose level were measured. It needs to be remembered that the human subjects used
here are young healthy men aged 20 -29 year old and have normal BMI and normal blood glucose
level. The result of this experiment was Moringa tea can lower glucose level for both human and
rats, but the doses of tea that was given to the participants matters. Lower doses of moringa tea can
reduce glucose level more effectively than higher doses do. The reason for this is unknown, but
allegedly higher doses of moringa tea is more likely to show its antihyperglycemic activity in
circulation level than in the intestinal level, regarding their slower effect in preventing the increase
of blood glucose level.

Another research conducted by Mujianti and Sukmawati, drinking 200ml Moringa tea three times a
day at one hour before meal for 28 days is said to lower glucose level by 13,42 mg/ dL in pradiabetic
women. The reason for this is because moringa tea contains EGCG that can prohibit glucose intake at
intestinal level by interacting with glucose transporter in small intestine, SGLT-1 and GLUT-2, and
therefore having insulinomimetric effect and can reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis. Some studies
involving human indicate that whole leaf powders of M.oleifera given orally in the form of capsule
exhibit significant anti-hyperglycemic, anti-dyslipidemic, and antioxidant effects in human subjects
without production of adverse effects (Stohs and Hartman, 2015).

Based on all the evident given by those scientific research, it may be concluded that M.oleifera have
anti-hyperglycemic effect. Despite the fact that it can lower blood glucose level, there should be
research that compares the effectiveness of the doses and the form of kelor leaves given to diabetic
person. Whether it’s given in the form of whole leaf stored in the capsule or in the form of extract,
as in tea, that’s more effective to treat DM type II. The time to consume kelor leaves is also need to
be considered, whether it’s consumed after meal or before meal. People need to watch the doses of
kelor leaves consumed, because there’s evident that lower doses of M.oleifera leaves extract has
more efficacy in giving hypoglycemic effect. Not to be forgotten, Indonesians like to consume kelor
in the form of soup, kelor leaves is boiled and seasonings is given to its gravy. Does this way of
consuming M.oleifera still have the same effectiveness of hypoglycemic effect? More researches are
still need to be conducted to figure out this matter.

Diabetic person should consider their diet wisely and have the healthy lifestyle while consuming
M.oleifera, because its effect is only reducing the intake of glucose by the body so if it’s not coupled
with consumption of low glycemic index kind of food and reduction of daily sugar consumption, it
doesn’t give any difference. So far, there hasn’t been any research that examines the long-term
effect of M.Oleifera consumption accompanied with appropriate diet and healthy lifestyle in treating
diabetes. Whether this method can cure type II diabetes or not is remain unclear, but according to
my judgement, it’s worth a try.

Moringa oleifera is a plant that has been proven to have so many health benefits, no wonder why
people call it ‘the miracle tree’ and consider it as super food. This plant is also scientifically proven to
have anti-hyperglycemic effect, so we all can suggest our family, friends, and relatives who have type
II diabetes mellitus to consume it frequently. Actually, there are some other super foods that have
the same hypoglycemic effect; for example cinnamon, bitter melon, and fig; but kelor has the most
effective work for reducing the after-meal blood glucose level. Furthermore, don’t forget to always
chose healthy diet and avoid excessive sugar consumption while trying to prevent type II Diabetes
Mellitus with Moringa oleifera.

References :

Abdull Razis, A.F., Ibrahim, M.D. and Kntayya, S.B., 2014. Health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Asian
Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15(20), pp.8571-8576.

Fombang, E.N. and Saa, R.W., 2016. Antihyperglycemic activity of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf
functional tea in rat models and human subjects. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 7(11), p.1020.

Mujianti, C. and Sukmawati, N.L.K., 2018. EFEK ANTIHIPERGLIKEMIK TEH DAUN KELOR (Moringa
Oleifera) PADA WANITA DEWASA DENGAN PRADIABETES. KESMAS, 7(6).

Stohs, S.J. and Hartman, M.J., 2015. Review of the safety and efficacy of Moringa
oleifera. Phytotherapy Research, 29(6), pp.796-804.