Phytochemistry, nutritional composition and pharmacological potential of Moringa oleifera: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is a medicinally important plant of the family Moringaceae, which is highly valued because of its enormous nutritional and therapeutic potential. Each part of M. oleifera is said to contain medicinal properties, which contributes to its diversity and value as a medicinal herb. Literature has revealed that the plant possesses anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antifertility, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, and other important pharmacological attributes. Most of these biological activities of the plant are due to its high content of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, glucosides, glucosinolates, anthocyanins, and steroids. Aside from the plant’s exceptional phytochemicals and therapeutic potentials, it is also rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, beta-carotene, fiber, and fatty acids. This systematic review aims at providing updated and categorized scientific data on phytochemicals, nutritional composition, and pharmacological potentials of M. oleifera. The information compiled in this present review would be crucial for developing novel therapeutic medicines and pharmaceutical formulations, which are more effective with great curative actions.

Keywords

• Moringa oleifera
• Phytochemistry
• Nutritional composition
• Pharmacological potential
• Ethnomedicine

Kaynakça

1. Abd Rani, N.Z., Husain, K., Kumolosasi, E., 2018. Moringa genus: a review of phytochemistry and pharmacology. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 108.
2. Abdull Razis, A.F., Ibrahim, M.D., Kntayya, S.B., 2014. Health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15(20), 8571-8576.
3. Adejumo, O.E., Kolapo, A.L., Folarin, A.O., 2012. Moringa oleifera Lam.(Moringaceae) grown in Nigeria: In vitro antisickling activity on deoxygenated erythrocyte cells. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 4(2), 118-122.
4. Agrawal, B., Mehta, A., 2008. Antiasthmatic activity of Moringa oleifera Lam: A clinical study. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 40(1), 28-31.
5. Agrawal, S.S., Vishal, D., Sumeet, G., Shekhar, C., Ashish, N., Parul, D., Varun, S., 2018. Antifertility activity of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam in female wistar rats. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 80(3), 565-570.
6. Alhakmani, F., Kumar, S., Khan, S.A., 2013. Estimation of total phenolic content, in–vitro antioxidant and anti–inflammatory activity of flowers of Moringa oleifera. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 3(8), 623-627.
7. Al-Kharusi, L.M., Elmardi, M.O., Ali, A., Al-Said, F.A.J., Abdelbasit, K.M., Al-Rawahi, S., 2009. Effect of mineral and organic fertilizers on the chemical characteristics and quality of date fruits. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 11(3), 290-296.
8. Amaglo, N.K., Bennett, R.N., Curto, R.B.L., Rosa, E.A., Turco, V.L., Giuffrida, A., Timpo, G.M., 2010. Profiling selected phytochemicals and nutrients in different tissues of the multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera L., grown in Ghana. Food Chemistry, 122(4), 1047-1054.

9. Anwar, F., Bhanger, M.I., 2003. Analytical characterization of Moringa oleifera seed oil grown in temperate regions of Pakistan. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(22), 6558-6563.
10. Azam, M.M., Waris, A., Nahar, N.M., 2005. Prospects and potential of fatty acid methyl esters of some non-traditional seed oils for use as biodiesel in India. Biomass and Bioenergy, 29(4), 293-302.
11. Bashir, K.A., Waziri, A.F., Musa, D.D., 2016. Moringa oleifera, a potential miracle tree; a review. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, 11, 25-30.
12. Bennett, R.N., Mellon, F.A., Foidl, N., Pratt, J.H., Dupont, M.S., Perkins, L., Kroon, P.A., 2003. Profiling glucosinolates and phenolics in vegetative and reproductive tissues of the multi-purpose trees Moringa oleifera L.(horseradish tree) and Moringa stenopetala L. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(12), 3546-3553.
13. Berushka, P., Himansu, B., 2012. An overview of the medicinal importance of Moringaceae. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6(48), 5831-5839.
14. Bharali, R., Tabassum, J., Azad, M.R.H., 2003. Chemomodulatory effect of Moringa oleifera, Lam, on hepatic carcinogen metabolising enzymes, antioxidant parameters and skin papillomagenesis in mice. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 4(2), 131-140.
15. Bhattacharjee, K.S.,2005. Hand Book of Aromatic Plants. 2nd Revised and Enlarged Edition. Pointer Publishers, India, 298.
16. Biswas, D., Nandy, S., Mukherjee, A., Pandey, D.K., Dey, A., 2020. Moringa oleifera Lam. and derived phytochemicals as promising antiviral agents: A review. South African Journal of Botany, 129, 272-282.
17. Buraimoh, A.A., Bako, I.G., Ibrahim, F.B., 2011. Hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic leave extract of Moringa oleifera on the histology of paracetamol induced liver damage in Wistar rats. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3(1), 10-13.
18. Chhikara, N., Kaur, A., Mann, S., Garg, M.K., Sofi, S.A., Panghal, A., 2020. Bioactive compounds, associated health benefits and safety considerations of Moringa oleifera L.: An updated review. Nutrition & Food Science, 51(2), 255-277.
19. Chumark, P., Khunawat, P., Sanvarinda, Y., Phornchirasilp, S., Morales, N.P., Phivthong-Ngam, L., Klai-upsorn, S.P., 2008. The in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant properties, hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic activities of water extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 116(3), 439-446.
20. Coppin, J.P., Xu, Y., Chen, H., Pan, M.H., Ho, C.T., Juliani, R., Wu, Q., 2013. Determination of flavonoids by LC/MS and anti-inflammatory activity in Moringa oleifera. Journal of Functional Foods, 5(4), 1892-1899.
21. Dillard, C.J., German, J.B., 2000. Phytochemicals: nutraceuticals and human health. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 80(12), 1744-1756.
22. Efiong, E.E., Igile, G.O., Mgbeje, B.I.A., Otu, E.A., Ebong, P.E., 2013. Hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic effect of combined extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino Wistar rats. Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology, 4(4), 45-50.
23. Ekor, M., 2014. The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4, 177.
24. El-Alfy, T.S., Ezzat, S.M., Hegazy, A.K., Amer, A.M., Kamel, G.M., 2011. Isolation of biologically active constituents from Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori.(family: Moringaceae) growing in Egypt. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 7(26), 109-115.
25. Fahey, J.W., 2005. Moringa oleifera: a review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties. Part 1. Trees for Life Journal, 1(5), 1-15.
26. Fahey, J.W., Olson, M.E., Stephenson, K.K., Wade, K.L., Chodur, G.M., Odee, D., Hubbard, W.C., 2018. The diversity of chemoprotective glucosinolates in Moringaceae (Moringa spp.). Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1-14.
27. Fidrianny, I., Kanapa, I., Singgih, M., 2021. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of moringa tree: an overview. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 11(3), 10776-10789.
28. Fuglie, L.J., 2005. The Moringa Tree. A local solution to malnutrition, http://www.moringa news.org/documents/Nutrition, (Accessed:15 March, 2022).
29. Gopalakrishnan, L., Doriya, K., Kumar, D.S., 2016. Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness, 5(2), 49-56.
30. Gupta, R., Mathur, M., Bajaj, V.K., Katariya, P., Yadav, S., Kamal, R., Gupta, R.S., 2012. Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera in experimental diabetes. Journal of Diabetes, 4(2), 164-171.
31. Gupta, R.K., 2010. Medicinal and aromatic plants. CBS publishers and distributors, 234, 499.
32. Hagoel, L., Vexler, A., Kalich-Philosoph, L., Earon, G., Ron, I., Shtabsky, A., Lev-Ari, S., 2019. Combined effect of Moringa oleifera and ionizing radiation on survival and metastatic activity of pancreatic cancer cells. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 18, 1534735419828829.
33. Halaby, M.S., Metwally, E.M., Omar, A.A., 2013. Effect of Moringa oleifera on serum lipids and kidney function of hyperlipidemic rats. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 9, 5189-5198.
34. Hamed, M.M., Mohamed, M.A.M., Ahmed, W.S., 2017. Chemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant activity, oral acute toxicity and LD50 determination of Moringa oleifera leaves. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9(5), 240-247.
35. Hamza, A.A., 2010. Ameliorative effects of Moringa oleifera Lam seed extract on liver fibrosis in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48(1), 345-355.
36. Huang, M., Lu, J.J., Huang, M.Q., Bao, J.L., Chen, X.P., Wang, Y.T., 2012. Terpenoids: natural products for cancer therapy. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 21(12), 1801-1818.
37. Imran, M., Salehi, B., Sharifi-Rad, J., Aslam Gondal, T., Saeed, F., Imran, A., Estevinho, L.M., 2019. Kaempferol: A key emphasis to its anticancer potential. Molecules, 24(12), 2277.
38. Irfan, H.M., Asmawi, M.Z., Khan, N.A.K., Sadikun, A., Mordi, M.N., 2017. Anti-diabetic activity-guided screening of aqueous-ethanol Moringa oleifera extracts and fractions: Identification of marker compounds. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 16(3), 543-552.
39. Isitua, C.C., Ibeh, I.N., Olayinka, J.N., 2016. In vitro Antifungal Activity of Moringa oleifera Lam Leaf on some selected clinical fungal strains. Indian Journal of Applied Research, 6(8), 548-552.
40. Jaja-Chimedza, A., Zhang, L., Wolff, K., Graf, B.L., Kuhn, P., Moskal, K., Raskin, I., 2018. A dietary isothiocyanate-enriched moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed extract improves glucose tolerance in a high-fat-diet mouse model and modulates the gut microbiome. Journal of Functional Foods, 47, 376-385.
41. Kamuhabwa, A., Nshimo, C., de Witte, P., 2000. Cytotoxicity of some medicinal plant extracts used in Tanzanian traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 70(2), 143-149.
42. Kasolo, J.N., Bimenya, G.S., Ojok, L., Ochieng, J., Ogwal-Okeng, J.W., 2010. Phytochemicals and uses of Moringa oleifera leaves in Ugandan rural communities. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 4(9), 753-757.
43. Kenwat, R., Prasad, P., Satapathy, T., Roy, A., 2013. Martynia annua: an overview. Pharmaceutical and Biosciences Journal, 1(1), 7-10.
44. Kou, X., Li, B., Olayanju, J.B., Drake, J.M., Chen, N., 2018. Nutraceutical or pharmacological potential of Moringa oleifera Lam. Nutrients, 10(3), 343.
45. Kumar, S., 2013. Systematic pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological review on an ethno medicinal plant, Basella alba L. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 5(4), 53-58.
46. Lalas, S., Tsaknis, J., 2002. Characterization of Moringa oleifera seed oil variety “Periyakulam 1”. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 15(1), 65-77.
47. Leone, A., Spada, A., Battezzati, A., Schiraldi, A., Aristil, J., Bertoli, S., 2015. Cultivation, genetic, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Moringa oleifera leaves: An overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(6), 12791-12835.
48. Mahajan, S.G., Banerjee, A., Chauhan, B.F., Padh, H., Nivsarkar, M., Mehta, A.A., 2009. Inhibitory effect of n-butanol fraction of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a guinea pig model of asthma. International Journal of Toxicology, 28(6), 519-527.
49. Mahmood, K.T., Mugal, T., Haq, I.U., 2010. Moringa oleifera: a natural gift-A review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(11), 775.
50. Mbikay, M., 2012. Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera leaves in chronic hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia: a review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 3, 24.
51. Mehra, M., Jakhar, N., Joshi, S., Meghwal, M., 2017. Phytotherapaeutic functionality of Moringa oleifera Lam for health. International Journal of Cell Science & Molecular Biology, 3(2), 42-45.
52. Mishra, G., Singh, P., Verma, R., Kumar, S., Srivastav, S., Jha, K.K., Khosa, R.L., 2011. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Moringa oleifera plant: An overview. Der Pharmacia Lettre, 3(2), 141-164.
53. Mishra, S., Lakhawat, S., Pandey, H., 2020. Moringa oleifera: A Miracle Plant. Popular Kheti, 8(2), 29-30.
54. Moyo, B., Masika, P.J., Muchenje, V., 2012. Antimicrobial activities of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extracts. African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(11), 2797-2802.
55. Muhammad, H.I., Asmawi, M.Z., Khan, N.A.K., 2016. A review on promising phytochemical, nutritional and glycemic control studies on Moringa oleifera Lam. in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 6(10), 896-902.
56. Nair, S., Varalakshmi, K.N., 2011. Anticancer, cytotoxic potential of Moringa oleifera extracts on HeLa cell line. Journal Natural Pharmaceuticals, 2(3), 138-142.
57. Nandave, M., Ojha, S.K., Joshi, S., Kumari, S., Arya, D.S., 2009. Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevents isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats: evidence for an antioxidant, antiperoxidative, and cardioprotective intervention. Journal of Medicinal Food, 12(1), 47-55.
58. Ndiaye, M., Dieye, A.M., Mariko, F., Tall, A., Faye, B., 2002. Contribution to the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae). Dakar Medical, 47(2), 210-212.
59. Obi, A., Egwurugwu, J.N., Ojefa, S.O., Ohamaeme, M.C., Ekweogu, C.N., Ogunnaya, F.U., 2018. Immunomodulatory effects of hydromethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaf on male wistar rats. Nigerian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Biosciences, 6(1), 26-32.
60. Okwari, O., Dasofunjo, K., Asuk, A., Alagwu, E., Mokwe, C., 2013. Anti-hypercholesterolemic and hepatoprotective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera in rats fed with thermoxidized palm oil diet. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, 8, 57-62.
61. Ouédraogo, M., Lamien-Sanou, A., Ramdé, N., Ouédraogo, A.S., Ouédraogo, M., Zongo, S.P., Guissou, P.I., 2013. Protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaves against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 65(3), 335-339.
62. Owens, F.S., Dada, O., Cyrus, J.W., Adedoyin, O.O., Adunlin, G., 2020. The effects of Moringa oleifera on blood glucose levels: a scoping review of the literature. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 50, 102362.
63. Oyedepo, T.A., Babarinde, S.O., Ajayeoba, T.A., 2013. Evaluation of anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous leaves extract of Moringa oleifera in alloxan induced diabetic rats. International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review, 3(3), 162-170.
64. Paikra, B.K., Gidwani, B., 2017. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Moringa oleifera Lam. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 20(3), 194-200.
65. Pan, S.Y., Zhou, S.F., Gao, S.H., Yu, Z.L., Zhang, S.F., Tang, M.K., Ko, K.M., 2013. New perspectives on how to discover drugs from herbal medicines: CAM's outstanding contribution to modern therapeutics. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 627375.
66. Pandey, A., Pradheep, K., Gupta, R., Nayar, E.R., Bhandari, D.C., 2011. ‘Drumstick tree’(Moringa oleifera Lam.): a multipurpose potential species in India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 58(3), 453-460.
67. Popoola, J.O., Aworunse, O.S., Oyesola, O.L., Akinnola, O.O., Obembe, O.O., 2020. A systematic review of pharmacological activities and safety of Moringa oleifera. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 9(3), 174-190.
68. Popoola, J.O., Obembe, O.O., 2013. Local knowledge, use pattern and geographical distribution of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) in Nigeria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(2), 682-691.
69. Rajanandh, M.G., Kavitha, J., 2010. Quantitative estimation of β-sitosterol, total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the leaves of Moringa oleifera. International Journal of PharmTech Research, 2(2), 1409-1414.
70. Rajbhar, Y.P., Rajbhar, G., Rawat, P.L., Shardulya, S., Kumar, M., 2018. Grow Moringa (Moringa oleifera), the miracle tree on the earth. Horticulture International Journal, 2(4), 166-172.
71. Randriamboavonjy, J.I., Loirand, G., Vaillant, N., Lauzier, B., Derbré, S., Michalet, S., Tesse, A., 2016. Cardiac protective effects of Moringa oleifera seeds in spontaneous hypertensive rats. American Journal of Hypertension, 29(7), 873-881.
72. Saini, R.K., 2013. “Studies on enhancement of carotenoids, folic acid, iron and their bioavailability in Moringa oleifera and in vitro propagation (Doctoral dissertation, University of Mysore).
73. Saini, R.K., Sivanesan, I., Keum, Y.S., 2016. Phytochemicals of Moringa oleifera: a review of their nutritional, therapeutic and industrial significance. 3 Biotech, 6(2), 1-14.
74. Sánchez-Machado, D.I., Lopez-Cervantes, J., Vázquez, N.R., 2006. High-performance liquid chromatography method to measure α-and γ-tocopherol in leaves, flowers and fresh beans from Moringa oleifera. Journal of Chromatography A, 1105(1-2), 111-114.
75. Sharifudin, S.A., Fakurazi, S., Hidayat, M.T., Hairuszah, I., Aris Mohd Moklas, M., Arulselvan, P., 2013. Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera extracts against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 51(3), 279-288.
76. Shikwambana, N., Mahlo, S.M., 2020. A survey of antifungal activity of selected south African plant species used for the treatment of skin infections. Natural Product Communications, 15(5), 1934578X20923181.
77. Siddhuraju, P., Becker, K., 2003. Antioxidant properties of various solvent extracts of total phenolic constituents from three different agroclimatic origins of drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(8), 2144-2155.
78. Singh, A., Navneet, X., 2018. Ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and antimicrobial aspects of Moringa oleifera Lam. A review. The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 7(1), 45-50.
79. Singh, A.K., Rana, H.K., Tshabalala, T., Kumar, R., Gupta, A., Ndhlala, A.R., Pandey, A.K., 2020. Phytochemical, nutraceutical and pharmacological attributes of a functional crop Moringa oleifera Lam: An overview. South African Journal of Botany, 129, 209-220.
80. Sivasankari, B., Anandharaj, M., Gunasekaran, P., 2014. An ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the village peoples of Thoppampatti, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 153(2), 408-423.
81. Sreelatha, S., Padma, P.R., 2009. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Moringa oleifera leaves in two stages of maturity. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 64(4), 303-311.
82. Stevens, G.C., Baiyeri, K.P., Akinnnagbe, O., 2013. Ethno-medicinal and culinary uses of Moringa oleifera Lam. in Nigeria. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7(13), 799-804.
83. Sudha, P., Asdaq, S.M., Dhamingi, S.S., Chandrakala, G.K., 2010. Immunomodulatory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera in animals. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 54(2), 133-140.
84. Tejas, G.H., Umang, J.H., Payal, B.N., Tusharbinu, D.R., Pravin, T.R., 2012. A panoramic view on pharmacognostic, pharmacological, nutritional, therapeutic and prophylactic values of Moringa olifera Lam. International Research Journal of Pharmaceuticals, 3, 1-7.
85. Thurber, M.D., Fahey, J.W., 2009. Adoption of Moringa oleifera to combat under-nutrition viewed through the lens of the “Diffusion of Innovations” theory. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 48(3), 212-225.
86. Toma, A., Deyno, S., 2014. Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Moringa oleifera. International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1(4), 222-231.
87. Vergara-Jimenez, M., Almatrafi, M.M., Fernandez, M.L., 2017. Bioactive components in Moringa oleifera leaves protect against chronic disease. Antioxidants, 6(4), 91.
88. Vinoth, B., Manivasagaperumal, R., Balamurugan, S., 2012. Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera Lam. International Journal of Research in Biological Science, 2(3), 98-102.
89. Waterman, C., Cheng, D.M., Rojas-Silva, P., Poulev, A., Dreifus, J., Lila, M.A., Raskin, I., 2014. Stable, water extractable isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera leaves attenuate inflammation in vitro. Phytochemistry, 103, 114-122.
90. Zade, V., Dabhadkar, D., 2015. Antifertility effect of alcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera stem bark on estrous cycle and estrogenic activity of female albino rat. American Journal of Advanced Drug Delivery, 3(3), 223-235.