Pharmacological Effects of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) Leaves Powder in the Treatment of Anaemia in Children Aged from 6 to 30 Months in Lissezoun in Central Benin

Abstract

Malnutrition is prevalent in developing countries and anaemia is particularly one of the biggest public health problems in the poorest areas. This study has tested the efficiency of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) Leaves Powder (MoLP) in the treatment of this deficiency in children. It has covered 84 children moderately malnourished aged from 6 to 30 mon in Lissèzoun in central Benin. Two groups of individuals have been trained: a “control” group of 40 children and a “study” group of 44 children, supplemented with the MoLP at 10 g/dl for 6 mon. Anemia was assessed by the determination of the Blood Formula (NFS). The haematological results have showed that there has been a significant increase in the hemoglobin (Hb) in the “Study” group at the end of the procedure. Indeed, at the beginning of the intervention, the hemoglobin levels within the two groups were homogeneous (p>0.05). At the end of the intervention, these rates/ level were respectively 9.82 ± 1.15 g/dl and 11.86 ± 1.16 g/dl in the “control” group and in the “Study” group. PFM supplementation improved Hb levels in children. MoLP could therefore be considered as a nutritional supplement in the prevention of anaemia in children.