Effects of Moringa oleifera supplementation on immune and nutritional biomarkers in adults living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of Moringa oleifera supplementation on immune and nutritional markers in adults living with HIV. Researchers analyzed data from multiple studies involving 847 participants who received moringa leaf powder supplements at varying doses (300-2000mg daily). The analysis focused on key immune markers, particularly CD4+ T cell counts, which are crucial indicators of immune function in HIV patients. Results suggest that moringa supplementation may support immune function, with participants receiving moringa showing significantly higher CD4+ T cell counts compared to control groups. The standardized mean difference was 1.4 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.59-2.20 (p<0.001), indicating a statistically significant positive effect. However, the analysis revealed high heterogeneity between studies (I²=96.2%), suggesting considerable variation in study designs, populations, or outcomes. This meta-analysis represents an important contribution to understanding moringa's potential role in supporting immune health in HIV-positive individuals, though the high heterogeneity indicates that results should be interpreted cautiously and more standardized research is needed.