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⁾.