Nutritional significance and therapeutic potential ofMoringa oleifera: The wonder plant

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose plant and a comprehensive source of dietary components such as proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. The plant is also a rich source of other bioactive components, including flavonoids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, etc. Incorporating M. oleifera in diet can improve the nutritional status of pregnant and nursing mothers and helps to combat malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among children. The phytochemicals and secondary metabolites, especially the polyphenolic compounds from Moringa, have a significant free-radical scavenging effect attributed to this plant's therapeutic potential. Investigations targeting to explore M. oleifera for its nutritional makeup, novel bioactive components, and analysis of their health-promoting attributes have received much attention. This review demonstrates an overview of recent (past ten years) advancements and patenting activity in discovering different parts of M. oleifera plant for providing adequate nutritive and bioactive components.The pharmacological potential and action mechanisms of M. oleifera in many diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer, hypertension, ulcer, etc., are also discussed. Practical applicationsMoringa oleifera is a vital plant that has a varied set of nutritional and therapeutic properties. The indigenous components of Moringa can treat humankind of its diseases and contribute to overall health. The qualitative and functional characteristics of its components indicate possible commercial exploitation of this high-value plant by utilizing its plant parts in many proprietary medicines and nutraceuticals. In conclusion, the Moringa plant needs to be used commercially. It can lead to tremendous economic development if the industries and researchers exploit its potential for highly nutritional super food and therapeutic application by undertaking further research to corroborate earlier studies.

Crude Polysaccharide Extracted From Moringa oleifera Leaves Prevents Obesity in Association With Modulating Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

“…In 2011, the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China issued a notice to consider M. oleifera l eaves as a new food resource. It has been demonstrated that M. oleifera has many biological functions such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and other effects ( 30 – 32 ). However, the biological activities of M. oleifera polysaccharides (MOP) in regulating gut microbiota and alleviating obesity have not yet been reported.…”

Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Excision Wound Infections in Rats: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Gene Expression Analysis

“…Moringa oleifera Lam (Family: Moringaceae ) is widely used as food and traditional medicine. It contains several nutraceuticals and is reported for various pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties [ 4 ]. Alkaloids, polyphenols, phenolic acids, a range of flavonoids, and glusinolates present in this plant have been reported for different biological activities [ 5 ].…”

Moringa Oleifera Alleviates Aβ Burden and Improves Synaptic Plasticity and Cognitive Impairments in APP/PS1 Mice

“…Moringa oleifera is one of the natural compounds that contain many active constituents including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins among others [ 45 , 46 ] and belongs to the family of Moringaceae that are distributed widely in many African and Asian countries [ 47 ]. It has been reported to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, bactericidal, hypoglycemic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and neuroprotective potentials [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In the field of AD, MO was reported to exert anti-aging, antioxidative, anti-cholinesterase, and neuroprotective activities [ 27 , 49 , 56 , 57 , 58 ] and is safe at higher doses in both rats and mice as its LD50 was more than 6400 mg/kg in mice [ 59 , 60 , 61 ].…”