The effect of Moringa stenopetala herbal tea consumption on serum lipid profiles, serum uric acid, and anthropometric parameters among hypertensive patients: A comparative cross-sectional study at Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital and Dello Mena General Hospital, South East Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. It is rising globally. More than 50% of hypertensive patients have additional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity. Currently, several plant preparations have been claimed to have advantages for such cardiovascular risk factors. One of those plants used in Ethiopia is African moringa, Moringa stenopetala. However, the effect of Moringa stenopetala consumption on serum lipid profiles, serum uric acid (SUA) level, and anthropometric parameters are not yet well determined in human subjects. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of Moringa stenopetala herbal tea consumption on serum lipid profiles, serum uric acid, and anthropometric parameters among hypertensive patients attending chronic care follow up at MWU Goba Referral Hospital and Dello Mena General Hospital, 2021 Methods: Hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in hypertensive patients who were on chronic care follow-up from July 1 to August 30, 2021. The exposure group (Moringa stenopetala tea drinkers) was selected from Dello Mena General Hospital and the non-exposed group (non-drinkers) was selected from MWU Goba Referral Hospital. A convenience sampling method was applied to recruit study participants. Data were collected on socio-demographic factors, behavioral factors including Moringa stenopetala tea consumption, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Moreover, fasting blood samples were collected from the study participants for the estimation of LDL-c, HDL-c, TG, TC, and SUA levels. The data obtained were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Mean differences between groups were assessed by an independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests were used to exploring the correlation between variables. The statistical significance was declared at p <0.05. Results: Moringa stenopetala herbal tea drinkers have showed significantly lower values than non-drinkers for LDL-c (p <0.001), TG (p = 0.001), TC (p <0.001), TC/HDL-c ratio (p <0.001), LDL-c/ HDL-c ratio (p <0.001), and SUA (p <0.001). The mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were significantly lower among the M. stenopetala tea drinkers group (p <0.001, p = 0.002, and p <0.001 respectively). The mean weight, BMI, WC, and WHR were also significantly lower among M. stenopetala herbal tea drinkers (p <0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.004 respectively). The levels of LDL-c and TC had a negative correlation with the frequency and duration of M. stenopetala herbal tea consumption (p <0.05). Similarly, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and SUA had a negative correlation with the frequency of M. stenopetala tea consumption (p <0.05). Conclusions: M. stenopetala herbal tea drinkers had significantly lower mean levels of LDL-c, TG, TC, TC/HDL-c ratio, and LDL-c/ HDL-c ratio. A significant decrease was also found in the SUA level, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in the M. stenopetala herbal tea drinkers. These effects were dependent on the amount and frequency of consumption. Keywords: Moringa stenopetala, herbal tea, hypertension, lipid profile, uric acid, Ethiopia