Moringa oleifera: An Updated Comprehensive Review of Its Pharmacological Activities, Ethnomedicinal, Phytopharmaceutical Formulation, Clinical, Phytochemical, and Toxicological Aspects

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, also known as the "tree of life" or "miracle tree," is classified as an important herbal plant due to its immense medicinal and non-medicinal benefits. Traditionally, the plant is used to cure wounds, pain, ulcers, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation. This review aims to compile an analysis of worldwide research, pharmacological activities, phytochemical, toxicological, and ethnomedicinal updates of Moringa oleifera and also provide insight into its commercial and phytopharmaceutical applications with a motive to help further research. The scientific information on this plant was obtained from various sites and search engines such as Scopus, Pub Med, Science Direct, BMC, Google Scholar, and other scientific databases. Articles available in the English language have only been referred for review. The pharmacological studies confirm the hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts from the various plant parts. It was found that bioactive constituents are present in every part of the plant. So far, more than one hundred compounds from different parts of Moringa oleifera have been characterized, including alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, vitamins, glycosides, and terpenes. In addition, novel isolates such as muramoside A&B and niazimin A&B have been identified in the plant and have potent antioxidant, anticancer, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and nutritional effects. The traditional and nontraditional use of Moringa, its pharmacological effects and their phytopharmaceutical formulations, clinical studies, toxicity profile, and various other uses are recognized in the present review. However, several traditional uses have yet to be scientifically explored. Therefore, further studies are proposed to explore the mechanistic approach of the plant to identify and isolate active or synergistic compounds behind its therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; pharmacological activity; phytochemistry; phytopharmaceutical formulation; toxicity; traditional medicinal uses.

Figure 1

ArcGIS 10.1-based spatial distribution map highlights research papers published on M. oleifera worldwide. A spatial technique was used to generate a map, and GIS layers were obtained from DIVA-GIS, an open-source web platform.

Figure 2

Network visualization of international collaborative research conducted for M. oleifera using VOS viewer (1.6.18).

Figure 3

ArcGIS 10.1-based spatial distribution map of Moringa oleifera, the purple color shows the indigenous countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and East indies, whereas the green color shows the introduced countries and regions such as Tropical Asia, Latin America, Africa, Pacific Island, Caribbean Florida, Madagascar, Central America, Cuba, Philippines, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. GIS layers were obtained from DIVA-GIS, an open-source web platform.

Figure 4

M. oleifera, as an oxidative and inflammatory marker, inhibits IKBα phosphorylation, thereby preventing NFKB (nuclear factor kappa B) inhibition. It prevents the nuclear translocation and dimerization of IkBα and NFKB, thereby inhibiting the formation of inflammatory proteins such as TNFα(tumor necrosis factor), COX-2(cyclooxygenase-2), IL6(interleukin -6), and iNos(inducible nitric oxide synthase) and thereby reducing the inflammation and curing other disorders like obesity, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and ulcer.

Figure 5

The various phytoconstituents present in M oleifera are responsible for numerous neuroprotective effects. M. oleifera is responsible for upregulating synaptic activity, cholinergic activity, dopaminergic activity, signaling of NrF2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), and simultaneously decreasing beta-amyloid toxicity and phosphorylation of tau proteins.

Figure 6

M. oleifera as a promising anti-obesity agent. Various in-vitro findings suggest that supplements of M. oleifera cause direct inhibition of pancreatic lipase, thus reducing the conversion of triglycerides into simple. Moringa has fat storage regulation by upregulation of lipolysis-associated protein and down-regulating the expression of protein related to fat storage. It is also effective in the improvement of antioxidant levels. Besides these, Moringa is also responsible for increasing ghrelin levels and decreasing leptin, producing a feeling of satiety.

Figure 7

Structure of some key phytoconstituents isolated from M. oleifera.

Figure 7

Structure of some key phytoconstituents isolated from M. oleifera.