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NCT Number: NCT07037498

Effect of Moringa Royal Jelly on the Nutritional Status and Cognitive Level of Adolescent Girls

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a locally developed supplement called MRJ - a combination of Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) extract and royal jelly - can improve the nutritional status and cognitive function of adolescent girls more effectively than standard iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does MRJ supplementation lead to better improvements in nutrition (e.g., hemoglobin, body measurements)?

Does MRJ supplementation enhance cognitive function compared to IFA tablets?

Researchers will compare MRJ capsules to IFA tablets (the standard of care) among adolescent girls.

Participants will:

Take 2 MRJ capsules per week (intervention group) or 1 IFA tablet per week (control group) for 12 months

Receive nutrition education via short TikTok-based videos

Have their adherence monitored weekly by teachers and through WhatsApp photos

Measurements will be taken at the start, 6 months, and 12 months, including:

Height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)

Hemoglobin levels via finger-prick blood test

Dietary intake using a 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)

Cognitive function assessed with the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT)

Participants are healthy junior and senior high school girls aged 10-18 years from Galesong Selatan, Takalar District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Potential side effects (e.g., nausea or stomach discomfort) will be monitored according to school health protocols.

The findings may support the use of culturally appropriate, nutrient-rich interventions for improving adolescent girls' health and future well-being.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Undernutrition Anemia Cognitive Function 1, Social Growth Disorders Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Malnutrition Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Stunting

Age range

12 year–19 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Schools under the supervision of Puskesmas Bonto Kassi, Galesong Selatan, Takalar District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Takalar, South Sulawesi, 92254, Indonesia

About this study

This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether a locally produced supplement, MRJ (a combination of Moringa oleifera extract and royal jelly), can improve nutritional status and cognitive function among adolescent girls in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, compared to the standard iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets provided by the government. If proven effective, MRJ may serve as a culturally acceptable and nutrient-rich alternative to support adolescent health and development.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • (1) Age 10-19 years (2) Adolescent girls' who are active in grades 1 and 2 (junior high and senior high)

Exclusion criteria

  • (3) Severe nutritional or health conditions (e.g., severe anemia, severe malnutrition, allergies), determined through clinical histories and validated self-reports.

Treatment and study plan

Moringa Oleifera

Dietary Supplement

Participants receive MRJ capsules containing 490 mg of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and 10 mg of royal jelly, taken orally twice per week for 12 months. The capsules are plant-based, produced using locally sourced ingredients, and are part of a food-based supplementation strategy developed as an alternative to iron-folic acid tablets. The intervention is combined with standardized nutrition education via TikTok videos. Adherence is monitored weekly through teacher log sheets and WhatsApp documentation. and Participants receive iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets containing 60 mg of elemental iron and 400 µg of folic acid, taken orally once per week for 12 months in accordance with Indonesia's national supplementation guidelines for adolescent girls. This control intervention is combined with the same standardized nutrition education via TikTok videos. Compliance is tracked weekly through teacher-supervised control sheets and WhatsApp photo submissions.

Other names: Royal jelly, edukasi

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Body Mass Index-for-Age Z-score (BMI-for-age)

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

    Mean change in BMI-for-age z-scores as per WHO AnthroPlus standards, measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

    Mean change in mid-upper arm circumference (cm) measured using standard non-stretchable tape.

  2. Change in cognitive function score (CFIT)

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Change in cognitive function as assessed using the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT) at baseline and 12 months.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hasanuddin University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Moringa Oleifera and Royal Jelly Supplementation on Nutritional Status and Cognitive Function in Adolescent Girls in Takalar District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia: Protocol Study

Acronym: MRJ

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 25, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 8, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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