Nutritional Value of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Powder Extracts and Their Neuroprotective Effects via Antioxidative and Mitochondrial Regulation

Abstract

Age-related neurodegenerative disorders are an increasing public health problem. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes. Medicinal plant-based functional foods can be effective for these diseases. The aim of this work is to investigate the neuroprotective role of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on antioxidant/oxidant imbalance and mitochondrial regulation in a H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress model in human neuroblastoma cells. On nutritional analysis, results showed that moringa contained 28.50% carbohydrates, 25.02% proteins, 10.42% fat, 11.83% dietary fiber, 1.108 mg β-carotene, 326.4 µg/100 g vitamin B1 and 15.2 mg/100 g vitamin C. In-vitro assays revealed that moringa methanol extracts had more phenolic content and higher antioxidant activity than acetone extracts. Moreover, pretreatments with methanol extracts showed a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage through increasing cell viability and reducing free radicals. Furthermore, the extract decreased lipid peroxidation and enhanced glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. Finally, moringa also prevented mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating calcium levels and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential. The most active concentration was 25 µg/mL. In summary, the nutritional and functional properties of Moringa oleifera as a neuroprotective agent could be beneficial to protect against oxidative stress and provide necessary nutrients for a healthy diet.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; neurodegenerative disorders; neuroprotection; nutrients; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on cell viability and cell morphology. (A) Effect of moringa on SH-SY5Y cell viability. Cells were treated with moringa from 5 to 500 µg/ml for 24 h. (B) Protective effect of moringa in a hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress model. Cells were pretreated with moringa from 5 to 100 µg/ml for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. (C) Effect of moringa on SH-SY5Y cell morphology. * p < 0.05 versus no extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.

Figure 1

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on cell viability and cell morphology. (A) Effect of moringa on SH-SY5Y cell viability. Cells were treated with moringa from 5 to 500 µg/ml for 24 h. (B) Protective effect of moringa in a hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress model. Cells were pretreated with moringa from 5 to 100 µg/ml for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. (C) Effect of moringa on SH-SY5Y cell morphology. * p < 0.05 versus no extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.

Figure 2

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on intracellular ROS overproduction. Cells were pretreated with moringa (5, 10 and 25 µg/ml) for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. * p < 0.05 versus no extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.

Figure 3

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on (A) lipid peroxidation and (B) Index Redox (GSH/GSSG). Cells were pretreated with moringa (5, 10 and 25 µg/ml) for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. * p < 0.05 versus no extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.

Figure 4

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on antioxidant enzyme activity. Cells were pretreated with moringa (5, 10 and 25 µg/ml) for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. * p < 0.05 versus extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.

Figure 5

Effect of methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf powder on (A) mitochondrial membrane potential (B) levels of cytosolic calcium and (C) levels of mitochondrial calcium. Cells were pretreated with moringa (5, 10 and 25 µg/mL) for 24 h before 100 µM H₂O₂ for 1 h. * p < 0.05 versus no extract, ^# p < 0.05 versus H₂O_2.