Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Extracts and Lectins from Moringa oleifera Seeds

Abstract

BackgroundThe extract from Moringa oleifera seeds is used worldwide, especially in rural areas of developing countries, to treat drinking water. M. oleifera seeds contain the lectins cmol and WSMoL, which are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are able to reduce water turbidity because of their coagulant activity. Studies investigating the ability of natural products to damage normal cells are essential for the safe use of these substances. This study evaluated the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous seed extract, the extract used by population to treat water (named diluted seed extract in this work), and the isolated lectins cmol and WSMoL. Methodology/Principal FindingsThe data showed that the aqueous seed extract and cmol were potentially cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while WSMoL and diluted seed extract were not cytotoxic. The M. oleifera aqueous seed extract and the lectins cmol and WSMoL were weakly/moderately cytotoxic to the NCI-H292, HT-29 and HEp-2 cancer cell lines and were not hemolytic to murine erythrocytes. Evaluation of acute toxicity in mice revealed that the aqueous seed extract (2.000 mg/kg) did not cause systemic toxicity. The aqueous seed extract, cmol and WSMoL (6.25 µg/mL) and diluted seed extract at 50 µg/mL exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on lipopolyssaccharide-stimulated murine macrophages by regulating the production of nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-1β. The aqueous seed extract reduced leukocyte migration in a mouse model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy; the myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were similarly reduced. Histological analysis of the lungs showed that the extract reduced the number of leukocytes. Conclusion/SignificanceThis study shows that the extract prepared according to folk use and WSMoL may be non-toxic to mammalian cells; however, the aqueous seed extract and cmol may be cytotoxic to immune cells which may explain the immunosuppressive potential of the extract.

Food safety assessment of an antifungal protein from Moringa oleifera seeds in an agricultural biotechnology perspective

“…As recently reviewed by Stohs and Hartman (2015), a considerable number of human and animal as well as in vitro studies indicate that various preparations of M. oleifera leaves and other plant parts have demonstrated a very high degree of safety. On the other hand, some reports on adverse effects of M. oleifera isolated compounds or preparations have been described in animal or in vitro studies, such as effects in female reproductive system (Sethi et al, 1988;Shukla et al, 1988;Prakash et al, 1987), genoand cytotoxic activities (Villasenor et al, 1989;Rolim et al, 2011;Asare et al, 2012;Araújo et al, 2013), hypotensive effects (Faizi et al, 1994(Faizi et al, , 1998, source of antinutritional factors (Igwilo et al, 2013(Igwilo et al, , 2014, hepatic and renal damage (Oyagbemi et al, 2013), and acidosis (Omabe et al, 2014). In parallel to the scientific data, for hundreds of years several parts of M. oleifera have been consumed by humans and animals in many tropical and subtropical countries with no reports of toxic effects (Fahey, 2005;Thurber and Fahey, 2009).…”

The effect of combined Moringa oleifera and demineralized freeze-dried bovine bone xenograft on the amount of osteoblast and osteoclast in the healing of tooth extraction socket of Cavia cobaya

“…[10][11][12] Several other researchers even claim that Moringa oleifera plant can inhibit cyclooxygenase enzyme, prostaglandin synthesis and nitrous oxide production in macrophages cells induced by lipopolysacaride (LPS). 12,13 Tooth extraction can cause trauma triggering inflammation. Inflammatory reaction is a sign of first activated defense cells.…”

Purification, characterization and antibacterial potential of a lectin isolated from Apuleia leiocarpa seeds

“…They also have shown immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypotensive, insecticidal, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activities [13,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The antimicrobial activity of lectins may result from their ability to interact with carbohydrates on the cell surface of microbes.…”