Abstract

The incidence of diabetes has been growing over the years with serious and costly consequences, both in terms of human and economic capital, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Medicinal plants could be usefully included in the treatment of diabetes in an optimized strategy for better cost-effectiveness, given the high cost of pharmaceuticals and their side effects on patients. A total of 36 studies (articles, thesis and final dissertations) were included in the review, including 67% of ethnobotanical studies and 33% of biological and clinical trials. In ethnobotanical studies, the different parts of the plant (leaves, seeds, fruits or pods, flowers, bark and roots) were cited in all series. In contrast, in the bioassays, only leaves, seeds and roots were used in the experiments. However, leaves remain the most widely used organ, with an efficacy that has been demonstrated in bioassays confirming ethnobotanical surveys. In view of the results collected, in-depth studies on the use of M. oleifera in the management of diabetes particularly in Sahelian countries would be relevant in the fight against the double burden of malnutrition.

Key words: Moringa oleifera, diabete, antidiabetic properties.