Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Moringa oleifera: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree or “miracle tree,” is a highly valued plant with a rich history in traditional medicine and an emerging role in modern pharmacology. Native to the Indian subcontinent and now cultivated globally, Moringa oleifera is recognized for its exceptional nutritional profile and a broad spectrum of therapeutic properties. This review provides a comprehensive pharmacological evaluation of Moringa oleifera, highlighting its phytochemical constituents, mechanisms of action, and potential medicinal applications. The plant is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, glucosinolates, tannins, and phenolic acids, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. Each part of the plant—leaves, seeds, pods, roots, and bark—possesses unique pharmacological attributes that can be harnessed for therapeutic use. In particular, its leaves have shown significant promise in managing oxidative stress and metabolic disorders due to their high content of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. Despite growing evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical validation remains limited, and standardization of dosage, extraction methods, and long-term safety profiles is required. This review aims to bridge traditional knowledge with current pharmacological insights and proposes future directions for research and drug development. Given its wide-ranging biological activities and minimal toxicity, Moringa oleifera presents a promising natural candidate for integrative and complementary therapies in the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases. Continued pharmacological exploration may lead to the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals derived from this versatile plant.

Keywords

Introduction

Moringa oleifera, commonly referred to as the "tree of life" or "miracle tree," is recognized as a significant herbal plant because of its extensive medicinal and non-medicinal advantages. Murunga, commonly known as Moringa (scientific name: Moringa oleifera), is a tree known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The alcoholic extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera are reported to have analgesic activity5 and the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots also shows antifertility profile Moringa oleifera, a species found in tropical and subtropical climates, is highly valued for both its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its different parts contain a wealth of essential minerals, proteins, vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids, and phenolic compounds.  The leaves, roots, and seeds of the plant have been utilized in traditional medicine for numerous applications, such as alleviating pain and inflammation, treating ocular conditions, and managing digestive problems. Research has also shown that the plant possesses analgesic, antifertility, antitumor, antipyretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antiulcer, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, antifungal, and antibacterial characteristics. This review seeks to outline the pharmacological effects of Moringa oleifera and emphasize its potential advantage. Moringa oleifera, often known as the horseradish tree or drumstick tree, is a small, rapidly growing tree found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.  It belongs to the Moringaceae family and contains nutrients such as zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaemopferol, and caffeoylguinic acid.  Different parts of the plant, such as the bark, leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, and immature pods, are rich in important phytoconstituents, including terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroidal aglycones, and reducing sugars. The leaves of Moringa oleifera are high in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. They have been utilized in traditional medicine for many years, especially within the Ayurvedic tradition, due to their ability to purify water and their significant nutritional content. [1, 2]

TAXINOMICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Kingdom - Plantae

Sub kingdom - Tracheobionta

Super Division - Spermatophyta

Division - Magnoliophyta

Class - Magnoliopsida

Subclass – Dilleniidae

Order - Capparales

Family - Moringaceae

Genus – Moringa

Species – Oleifera

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES:

Leaves: Moringa leaves are pinnate, with leaflets being small and ovate.

Flowers and Pods: Moringa produces white or cream-colored flowers that mature into long, Slender pods

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:

1. Flavonoids: Some of the flavonoids identified in Moringa oleifera are quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin.

2. Phenolic acids: Moringa oleifera encompasses phenolic acids such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid.

3. Alkaloids: The alkaloids present in Moringa oleifera include moringinine and moringine.

4. Glycosides: The plant also contains glycosides like niazimicin and niazirin.

5. Terpenoids: Moringa oleifera features terpenoids such as beta-carotene and beta-sitosterol.

6. Saponins: This plant comprises saponins known for their surfactant characteristics.

7. Tannins: Moringa oleifera has tannins, recognized for their astringent and antioxidant effects.

8. Essential oils: The plant is enriched with essential oils like eugenol and beta-caryophyllene.

PHARMACOLOGICAL OVERVIEW: -

1. Analgesic and Local Anaesthetic Activity:

The Hotplate and Tail immersion method was used to test the analgesic properties of M. oleifera's alcoholic extract and its several fractions, including petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and n-Butanol. Alcoholic extract from M. oleifera seeds and its several fractions demonstrated strong analgesic effects that were on par with aspirin at a dosage of 25 mg/kg of body weight. According to this study, M. oleifera Lam. seeds have strong analgesic properties and are equivalent to the common medication aspirin, proving that they can be used as a regular painkiller. 5. When the methanol extract of M. oleifera was examined in guinea pig and frog models, it was observed that the plant (root bark) provided a high amount of local anaesthetic action in both animals. [4]

2. Wound Healing Activity:

The ability of M. oleifera leaf aqueous extract to promote wound healing was examined. Rats with resutured incision, excision, and dead space wound models were used to study the extract at a dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight. Better alignment and maturation, along with enhanced collagen deposition, appear to be the causes of the prohealing effects. Based on the study's findings, it can be said that M. oleifera's aqueous extract significantly promotes wound healing. [7]

3. CNS Activity:

An extract from Moringa oleifera leaves raises the brain's monoamine levels, which may help treat Alzheimer's disease. Anticonvulsant efficacy in vitro from the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots and ethanolic extract of leaves was studied on penicillin induced convulsion, locomotor behaviour, brain serotonin (5-HT), dopamine and norepinephrine level and evaluated [6].

4. Cardiovascular activity:

Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract shown strong anti-hypertensive or anti-hypertensive effects. Thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate glycosides were shown to be the cause of this potent hypotensive action in the in-vivo activity conducted in the heart of an animal. [7].

5. Gastric Ulcer Protective Activity:

The was discovered that the aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaf protected rats from indomethacin-induced stomach ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. Because of their ability to precipitate proteins and constrict blood vessels, tannins may be useful in avoiding the development of ulcers [8]
As an astringent, tannins may have precipitated microproteins on the ulcer site, creating an impermeable protective pellicle over the lining to keep harmful substances out and fend off proteolytic enzyme attacks.[9] Presence of flavonoids has also been reported to offer some protection in ulcer development by increasing capillary resistance, and improve microcirculation which renders the cells less injurious to precipitating factors [10]

6. Anti-Oxidant Effect:

The presence of phenolic chemicals, which were verified by phytochemical screening of the hydro-ethanolic extract, may be the cause of Moringa's antioxidant properties. In this regard, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, thiocarbamates, and flavonoids are among the significant bioactive substances found in Moringa pods. These substances replenish membrane-bound antioxidants, chelate metal ions, and quench ROS.[11] Moringa oleifera's aqueous extract had a potent scavenging action on superoxide, nitric oxide radicals, 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, and prevention of lipid peroxidation. Moringa oleifera leaf extract had a similar impact to the reference antioxidants in scavenging free radicals. Significant protection against oxidative damage is provided by the extracts of Moringa oleifera's mature and tender leaves, which exhibit strong antioxidant activity against free radicals and stop oxidative damage to important biomolecules. [12]

7. Antibacterial and Antifungal Efficacy:

The distillate of M. oleifera showed a significant decrease in test bacterial growth, indicating an antibacterial action. E. coli showed the highest level of inhibition among the studied microorganisms, followed by S. aureus, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis. Additionally, a decrease in fungal inhibition was found. Isolates diameter in distillate-poisoning plates relative to control plates. A. niger showed the highest level of inhibition, followed by A. oryzae, A. terreus, and A. nidulans. The essential oil percentage of the plant material contained in the distillate fraction may be the cause of the steam distillate of M. oleifera's antibacterial and antifungal properties. [13]

8. Antiurolithiatic Activity:

The impact of oral administration of M. oleifera root-wood aqueous and alcoholic extract on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in male Wistar albino rats has been investigated. Both hyperoxaluria and increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate were caused by ethylene glycol feeding. The increased urinary oxalate was considerably decreased by supplementing with an alcoholic and aqueous extract of M. oleifera root wood, indicating a regulatory effect on endogenous oxalate production. Curative and preventive treatment with aqueous and alcoholic extracts also considerably reduced the elevated deposition of stone-forming components in the kidneys of calculogenic rats. Accordingly, the findings suggest that M. oleifera root wood possesses antiurolithiatic properties. [14]

9. Anti-diabetic activity:

Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves has anti-diabetic properties that help regulate diabetes and, consequently, glycemic control [15]. Methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera pods were tested for their in-vitro antioxidant and in-vivo antidiabetic activities in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic albino rats. Changes in biochemical markers in blood and pancreatic tissue were used to measure the antidiabetic effects of treating diabetic rats with 150 or 300 mg/kg of extract for 21 days. Diabetes's rate of development was considerably slowed following treatment with the extract. In treated rats, both doses of extract induced a significant reduction in serum glucose and nitric oxide, with concomitant increases in serum insulin and protein levels [16]. Two dosages of Moringa seed powder, 50 and 100 mg/kg, were tested for their antidiabetic effects on male rats with STZ-induced diabetes. In comparison to the negative control group, the diabetic positive control group displayed higher levels of lipid peroxide, IL-6, and antioxidant enzyme in the blood and kidney tissue homogenate [17].

10. Anti-Ulcer:

number of bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, rutin, steroids, and others, are found in Moringa oleifera leaves. The flavonoids rutin, which is found in moringa, has a gastro-cytoprotective effect, and quercetin acts as an anti-ulcer agent. Furthermore, it has been observed that M. oleifera leaf ethanolic extract exhibits antiulcer properties [12]. In light of the aforementioned, this work used ethanol-induced stomach ulcers and pylorus ligation-induced ulcers to examine the antiulcer potential of an ethanolic root-bark extract of M. oleifera.We draw the conclusion that MO may be able to treat stomach ulcers and mucosal lesions based on the current investigation. Additionally, it raises the pH of gastric juice and lowers its acidity.

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