INTRODUCTION:

One of the Moringaceae family’s effective remedies for malnutrition is Moringa oleifera. The presence of numerous vital compounds in the leaves, pods, and seeds of moringa makes it a highly nutritious plant. According to several reports, moringa has seven times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, ten times the amount of vitamin A as carrots, seventeen times the amount of calcium as milk, nine times the amount of protein as yoghurt, fifteen times the amount of potassium as bananas, and twenty-five times the amount of iron as spinach¹. Because moringa is so simple to grow, it can be used as a long-term solution for malnutrition.

Children are treated with moringa in nations like Senegal and Benin². Youngsters who aren’t given enough breast milk frequently exhibit signs of malnutrition. In order to increase milk production, breastfeeding moms are typically prescribed lactogogues. The phytosterol-based lactogogue functions as a precursor to the hormones needed for the development of reproductive organs. Hormone precursors, such as stigmasterol, sitosterol, and kampesterol, are abundant in moringa phytosterols. These substances raise the synthesis of estrogen, which in turn promotes the growth of the mammary gland ducts, resulting in the secretion of milk. Malnutrition in children under three years old is treated with it³. During pregnancy, a woman can consume around six spoonfuls of leaf powder to meet her daily needs for calcium and iron. An overview of the pharmacological and therapeutic qualities of moringa for commercial usage is given in this study.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

More than 300 ailments can be cured with M. oleifera, which is frequently regarded to as a panacea. Africans and Indians have traditionally employed moringa in herbal therapy. Because of the phytochemicals, it’s a useful therapeutic agent.

1) Antidiabetic property:

It has been demonstrated that moringa can treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, a hormone that keeps blood glucose levels within the normal range that is necessary. Insulin resistance is linked to type 2 diabetes. Beta cell malfunction, which lowers the signaling to insulin due to a failure to recognize glucose levels, may also be the cause of type 2 diabetes⁴. This would result in elevated blood glucose levels. Moringa has been demonstrated in numerous research to have anti-diabetic properties. A study has demonstrated that M. oleifera aqueous extracts can treat insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes in mice as well as streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetes⁵. In a different study, the researchers observed a decrease in fasting blood glucose when they provided moringa seed powder to the STZ-induced diabetic rats¹⁴. Additionally, the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes rose in the rats given 500mg/kg body weight of moringa seed powder.

This demonstrates that the antioxidants in moringa can reduce ROS brought on by STZ activation in beta-cells¹². Beta cells produce superoxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS) when xanthine oxidase and STZ work together to cause ATP dephosphorylation events⁶. High glucose therefore causes reactive oxygen species to be released from the mitochondria. Because beta cells don’t produce many antioxidants, they eventually undergo apoptosis^7,8. This lowers insulin secretion, which causes hyperglycemia and Type 2 diabetes. It has been suggested that flavonoids such as quercitin and phenolics function as antioxidants by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS).One theory is that the flavonoids in moringa scavenge the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria, preserving the beta cells and preventing hyperglycemia^9,13. Numerous problems, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and atherosclerosis, are brought on by diabetes. You can use moringa to stop these kinds of illnesses. Advanced glycated end products (AGEs) are the result of blood glucose reacting with proteins in hyperglycemia. These AGEs attach to RAGE, which is expressed on immune cell surfaces. Increased transcription of cytokines such as interleukin-6 and interferons is the result of this interaction. The surface endothelium of arteries expresses cell adhesion molecules concurrently¹⁰. This promotes transendothelial migration, which results in arterial inflammation and atherosclerosis. Moringa has anti-atherosclerotic properties¹¹. The antioxidant characteristics of moringa help to explain its anti-atherogenic characteristics.

2) Antimicrobial and antifungal properties:

Rich in bioactive components, moringa has the ability to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus, particularly those that produce toxins. Alkaloids, amino acids, cardioglycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, and tannins are among the antimicrobial constituents found in the plant. One antibiotic molecule that comes from flowers is called pterygospermine, and it has strong antibacterial qualities.¹⁵ Moringa root extracts inhibit the growth of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli bacteria. Both the juice and the hydroalcoholic extracts of fresh M. oleifera leaves show antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.^16,17,18 Additionally exhibiting biological efficacy against Candida albicans are alcoholic extracts. The growth of Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus flavus fungus is significantly inhibited by methanolic extracts. Research has demonstrated that extracts derived from the leaves, seeds, and stems of M. oleifera can inhibit several fungal species, such as Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus nidulans. Alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids found in M. oleifera fruit prevent the growth of Candida albicans by either denaturing proteins or preventing spore germination through the steroid ring¹⁹. While it is less effective against P. aeruginosa and E. coli, moringa seed kernel extract shows significant inhibitory effects against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mucor species, and Aspergillus species. According to a recent study, a single extract from M. oleifera seeds has the ability to combat Gram +ve bacteria^17,18.

3) Anti-inflammatory property:

M. oleifera’s leaves, pods, flowers, and roots, among other parts, showed a notable anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, 4-[2-o-Acetyl-alpha-l-rahamnoslyloxy) benzyl] thiocynate, an isolated chemical from Moringa, shown efficaciousness in Raw264.7 and demonstrated inhibitory activity on nitric oxide. Using RAW264.7 cells, the study investigates the anti-inflammatory characteristics of the Moringa oleifera ethyl acetate fraction. It was discovered that the fraction increased IκBα levels but downregulated the expression of NF-κB, COX-2, and iNOS. Given that medications that block NF-κB activation have demonstrated benefit in treating illnesses linked to inflammation, this points to a possible treatment direction. The research additionally discovered that the anti- inflammatory properties the ethyl acetate fraction are associated with inhibiting NF-κB activation, hence averting IκBα degradation and NF-κB p65 protein translocation²⁰.

4) Anti-cancer property:

Cancer is the second greatest cause of death in the US and a major cause of death worldwide. Consuming cruciferous vegetables has been linked to an increased risk of breast, lung, and colon cancer, according to several epidemiological studies²¹. Extracts from M. oleifera’s leaves and bark inhibit the formation of tumors in colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer cells. By using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, Alsamari and associates were able to discover 12 different chemicals in the M. oleifera extract, three of which may have anticancer properties²². Glucosinolates, the precursor form of the powerful anticancer chemical isothiocyanates, are found in intact plants by nature²³. A lot of study has been done on their ability to fight cancer, and it has been found that allyl isothiocyanates can stop the growth of human prostate cancer cells that are androgen-dependent or androgen-independent.

5) Hepatoprotective property:

M. oleifera’s hepatoprotective activity is associated to the abundance of bioactive substances found in its aqueous leaf extracts, which include high quantities of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and carotenoids. These chemicals work together to provide therapeutic effect and for its possible health advantages, M. oleifera should be consumed on a daily basis.²⁴. However, excessive intake may lead to iron accumulation, causing gastrointestinal distress and hemochromatosis. To prevent nutrient over-accumulation, a daily dose of 70g of M.oleifera is suggested²⁵. The antioxidant-rich characteristics of M. oleifera aqueous leaf extract are demonstrated in in vivo experiments, and this is an important defense against illnesses brought on by oxidative stress. The high concentration of phytochemicals including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and carotenoids that are present in M. oleifera’s aqueous leaf extracts are linked to the plant’s hepatoprotective properties. Together, these compounds have a therapeutic impact, and M. oleifera should be regularly ingested for potential health benefits.²⁴On the other hand, if taken in excess, iron buildup can result in hemochromatosis and digestive problems. A recommended daily dose of 70g of M.oleifera is used to prevent nutrient over-accumulation²⁵. In vivo investigations reveal the antioxidant-rich properties of M.oleifera aqueous leaf extract, which is a crucial defense against oxidative stress-related disorders.

Commercial applications:

Ben oil is an oil that is extracted from moringa seeds. Sterols, tocopherols, and oleic acid are abundant in this oil. Moreover, it is resistant to oxidative rancidity. The oil can be used as lubricant, perfume, and cooking oil in place of olive oil^26,27. Pesticides and organic contaminants can be absorbed by the pods. In addition to their excellent coagulant qualities, moringa seeds may separate organic and mineral particles from solutions^1,28. By neutralizing the electrical charges of the particles in the water to generate flocs that make the particles filterable, chemical coagulants such polymers and aluminum sulfate (Alum) and ferric sulfate remove suspended particles from waste water. The cationic protein included in M. oleifera seeds makes them a natural coagulant that can be used to clear murky water. Due to the high cost and scarcity of other coagulants such alum, activated carbon, and ferric chloride, this characteristic of M. oleifera seeds is generating a lot of research²⁹. In order to handle tapioca starch waste water, Suhartini et al.³⁰ created a two-stage clarifier. First, they added coconut fiber, and then they added a layer of sand medium mixed with powdered M. oleifera. This improved the physical and chemical features of the water and stabilized the pH level. Water contaminated with heavy metals (including lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic) can be cleaned up with moringa seed extract³¹. By reducing settling time, M. oleifera functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles, such as iron oxide, was found to be advantageous in the treatment of surface water³². By inhibiting bacterial development, seed extracts antibacterial qualities help to avoid waterborne illnesses. The seedcakes of the moringa plant can be used as fertilizer or as green manure. The seeds can also be used to make biodiesel and be utilized in cosmetics. The tea derived from moringa flowers has a low cholesterol content. Fried moringa blossoms are reported to taste like mushrooms³³. Beekeepers use the moringa flowers because they are excellent sources of nectar. The bark of the root has therapeutic properties and is used to treat heart problems, eye conditions, and dyspepsia³⁴.

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS:

In India, research on M. oleifera is still in its infancy. The nutrients found in this amazing tree must be utilized for a number of reasons. M.Oleifera possesses strong anti-cancer and anti-diabetic qualities. Nevertheless, it is uncommon to find double-blind studies to support these moringa benefits. To confirm the main mechanisms of moringa as an antidiabetic and an anticancer drug, more research is required. There are many perplexing questions left unsolved. More investigation is required into the antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts on cancer cells. Research has demonstrated that moringa produces ROS in cancer cells, which causes necrosis or apoptosis. Still, antioxidants are also found in the aqueous extracts. This irony’s precise mechanism has not yet been investigated.

New medicinal compounds may be developed as a result of ongoing research to isolate endophytic fungus and pinpoint the M. oleifera enzymes or proteins responsible for the anticancer and antidiabetic action. An additional focus area involves assessing the commercial application of M. oleifera as a bio-coagulant. It could be a good substitute for purifying water. Snacks are in high demand in the market. Thus, adding moringa to snacks offers two benefits in the fight against malnutrition. Being indigenous to India, the tree has the potential to be a major source of revenue for the country.

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Received on 01.02.2024 Modified on 02.03.2024

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2024; 14(2):185-188.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-5659.2024.00030