Common Names
- Horseradish tree
- Drumstick tree
- Benzolive tree
- Ben oil tree
For Patients & Caregivers
How It Works
Moringa oleifera (MO) is commonly used for a variety of conditions, but studies in humans are limited.
MO is an edible plant cultivated worldwide. The leaves and seed pods are consumed as food. Extracts from its leaves, bark, seed pods, and pulp are also used in a variety of folk medicine treatments, either given by mouth or as a topical agent applied to the skin. Products derived from the herb are used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, diabetes, ulcers, infections, and cancer. However, data on MO is limited and it has not been studied in humans as a cancer treatment.
Purported Uses
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Antibacterial
The leaf and seed extracts of MO were shown to stop the growth of bacteria that cause diarrhea in lab studies. Human data are lacking. -
Antifungal
MO extracts have been shown to stop the growth of fungi in lab experiments. More studies are needed. -
Anti-inflammatory
The seed extract of MO and compounds isolated from its fruits have the ability to prevent inflammation. Further research is needed. -
Diabetes
MO can reduce blood glucose levels and may be a useful antidiabetic agent, but human studies have not been conducted. -
Anti-ulcer
Lab studies indicate that MO extracts can protect against stomach ulcers. More studies are needed. -
Anticancer
Lab and animal studies show that MO extracts have anticancer effects. Human data are lacking. -
Elevated lipid concentrations
A small study showed a mild positive impact on the lipid profile of patients with hyperlipidemia.
Patient Warnings
Do Not Take If
- You are taking drugs that are substrates of cytochrome P450, including CYP3A4: M. oleifera may increase the risk of side effects of these drugs.
- You are taking the diabetes medication sitagliptin: MO can decrease the antihyperglycemic effects of sitagliptin.
- You are pregnant: MO bark may cause contractions in the uterus, and has been used to induce abortion in some cases.
Side Effects
As studies in humans are limited, the following effects have been found in laboratory studies:
- Alkaloids in MO can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate.
- MO bark can cause uterine contractions.
- Phenylacetonitrile isolated from roasted MO seeds can cause cell mutations.
- MO extracts may have antifertility properties.
- MO leaves increased the risk of liver and kidney damage in rats.
For Healthcare Professionals
Clinical Summary
Moringa oleifera (MO) is an edible plant that is native to Asia and Africa and also cultivated around the world. Its leaves and seed pods are nutritious and widely consumed as food; the bark and root are thought to have medicinal properties and are employed in folk remedies. Products derived from the herb are used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, diabetes, ulcers, infections, and cancer. In addition, the plant extracts are used in primitive water filtration systems to remove pollutants and algae (1).
In vitro and animal studies indicate that the leaf, seed, and root extracts of MO have anticancer (3) (4), hepatoprotective (10), hypoglycemic (12) (41), anti-inflammatory (13) (14), antibacterial (18) (19) (42), antifungal (20), antiviral (21), and antisickling (37) and effects. They may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease (29) and stomach ulcers (24), help lower cholesterol levels (25), promote wound healing (30), and alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis (43). An MO extract demonstrated antifertility effects in a murine model (28).
Clinical data are limited (36), but preliminary findings show that MO exerts a small positive effect on lipid profiles (38). An MO leaf powder increased insulin secretion in healthy subjects (44), and improved nutritional status and intake of AIDS patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (45).
Mechanism of Action
The antioxidant (7) (8), hypolipidemic, and antiatherosclerotic activities of MO are thought to help prevent cardiovascular diseases (9). It also showed hepatoprotective effects (10) and protected the liver from acetaminophen toxicity by maintaining glutathione level (11). MO can reduce blood glucose levels as well, (12) which suggests hypoglycemic effects. The fiber content of the leaves can mediate quercetin-3-glucoside to improve glucose tolerance (7). In addition, phenolic glycosides from the fruit show anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide (13). Dipeptide and urea derivatives from MO roots also have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects and may benefit those with arthritis (14). The ethanolic seed extract may produce immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocytes and splenocytes (15) as well as histamine release from mast cells (16). It also reduced airway inflammation suggesting it may benefit those with asthma (17). Phenolic components may be responsible for its antisickling activities (37). In an animal model, MO root extract demonstrated protective effects on the liver and kidney in a dose-dependent manner (22). It reduced urinary oxalates and may help prevent urolithiasis (23). MO extract may protect against stomach ulcers by modulating 5-HT3 receptors (24) and lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (25).
A water extract of MO showed hormone-modulating properties, stimulated uterine and cervical epithelium metaplasia (26) (27), and exhibited antifertility effects (28). A leaf extract of MO exhibited 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). Anticancer effects with MO may occur via apoptosis (3) (4) and NF-kappaB inhibition (5) (46). In an animal model, an MO extract helped prevent chemically-induced tumor formation by increasing glutathione activity (6).
Warnings
MO was found to be genotoxic at supra-supplementation levels of 3,000 mg/kg body weight in a murine model (39).
Adverse Reactions
As studies in humans are limited, the following effects have been found in laboratory studies:
- Alkaloids in MO have hypotensive and bradycardiac effects (31).
- MO bark can cause uterine contractions (27).
- Phenylacetonitrile isolated from roasted MO seeds has mutagenic activity (32) (33).
- MO extracts have antifertility properties (28).
- Animal models suggest that chronic administration of MO leaves can increase risk of hepatic and renal damage (40).