Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera exhibits anticancer effects via apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells ^{(3) (4)} and by inhibiting NF-kappaB ⁽⁵⁾. In an animal model, MO extract helped prevent chemical-induced tumor formation by increasing glutathione activity ⁽⁶⁾. The antioxidant ^{(7) (8)}, hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic activities are thought to help prevent cardiovascular diseases ⁽⁹⁾. MO also showed hepatoprotective effects ⁽¹⁰⁾ and protected the liver from acetaminophen toxicity by maintaining glutathione level ⁽¹¹⁾. MO can reduce blood glucose levels ⁽¹²⁾ which suggests hypoglycemic effects. The fiber content of the leaves can mediate quercetin-3-glucoside to improve glucose tolerance ⁽⁷⁾. The phenolic glycosides from the fruit show anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide ⁽¹³⁾. Compounds isolated from roots also have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects and may benefit those with arthritis ⁽¹⁴⁾. The ethanolic seed extract demonstrated immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocyte and splenocyte ⁽¹⁵⁾ and by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells ⁽¹⁶⁾. It also reduced airway inflammation suggesting it may have benefit as asthma treatment ⁽¹⁷⁾. The phenolic components of MO may be responsible for its antisickling activities ⁽³⁷⁾.

In an animal study, MO root extract demonstrated protective effects on the liver and kidney in a dose dependent manner ⁽²²⁾. It can reduce urinary oxalate and may help prevent urolithiasis⁽²³⁾. MO extract is also thought to have protective effects against stomach ulcers by modulating 5-HT₃ receptors ⁽²⁴⁾ and cholesterol lowering ability by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase ⁽²⁵⁾.

A water extract of MO showed hormone modulation properties and stimulated uterine and cervical epithelium metaplasia ^{(26) (27)}, and exhibited antifertility effects ⁽²⁸⁾ in animal models. A leaf extract of MO exhibits protective effects against Alzheimer's disease by modulating monoamines in the brain ⁽²⁹⁾. It also may help promote wound healing by increasing collagen deposits ⁽³⁰⁾.