Moringa oleifera, considered a medicinal tree by many civilizations, owes its repute to its medicinal attributes, and in particular, to its antimicrobial properties. Different parts of this plant, including pods, stem bark, leaves, roots, and seeds contain bioactive agents such as quercetin, phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. The modes of action of these bioactive agents are varied, ranging from the inhibition of enzymes to the disruption of bacterial cell membranes. The various antimicrobial properties of the plant are manifested in extracts of methanol, ethanol, hexane, chloroform, and water. Such extracts, which also display antibacterial activity against biofilms, can serve as therapeutic agents against multidrug resistant pathogens, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Oxidative stress is a causative factor leading to many pathological states. Herbs are one of the natural source of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants may safely interact with free radicals to counterbalance or bring to an end the chain reaction before damage may occur at cellular level in any major organ. The purpose of the study was to prepare and standardize an anti-oxidant poly-herbal formulation. The active ingredients of the formulation include; Curcuma longa, Nigella sativa, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinalis and Cinnamon zeylanicum. The formulation may reduce oxidative stress and be of benefit in patients suffering from inflammatory diseases including cancer patients. It may be especially of value in preventing cancer in susceptible population with genetic tendency. Standardization of the formulation was carried out for assessment of its safety, efficacy and quality. The tests performed included; macroscopic evaluation, microscopic analysis, fluorescence analysis, preliminary physical property, phyto-chemical analysis, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and cytotoxicity studies. The formulation exhibited positive results against the properties evaluated. The standardization of the preparation was done and the results found are being used for pre-clinical and clinical studies. Furthermore, the results of the study maybe be used as a standard for future reference.

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