Review: an exposition of medicinal preponderance of Moringa oleifera (Lank.)

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Mar;27(2):397-403.

Abstract

Medicinal plants are believed to be a precious natural reservoir as they are assumed to have paranormal effects for the mankind. Moringa oleifera grows throughout most of the tropics and has numerous industrial and medicinal uses. This review acquaints with the consequence of fera (Moringaceae), a fast growing medicinal plant wide spread in tropical regions with height ranging from 5-10m. It has an enormous nutritional worth due to existence of vitamins and proteins. It is subsisted with many constituents. Its oil consists of oleic, tocopherols, stearic, palmitic, behenic and arachidic acid. Flavanoids and phenolics such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, ellagic acid, quercetin and vanillin are present by means of leaf extract, being richest in phenolics and subsequent fruit and seed extract respectively, that are accountable for antioxidant activity of plant. Seeds have been pragmatic with active components as novel O-ethyl-4- (α -L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl carbamate together with seven known compounds, 4 (α -L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate, niazimicin, niazirin, β-sitosterol, glycerol-1- (9 -octadecanoate), 3 -O- 6 -O-oleoyl- β -D-glucopyranosyl-b-sitosterol, and β - sitosterol- 3-X-O -β -D-glucopyranoside , that have been discerned to inhibit EBV-EA (Epstein- Barr virus-early antigen), that is persuaded by the cancer promoter. M. oleifera leaves, gums, roots, flowers as well as kernels have been unanimously utilized for managing tissue tenderness, cardiovascular and liver maladies, normalize blood glucose and cholesterol. It has also profound antimicrobial, hypoglycemic and anti-tubercular activities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics
  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Moringa oleifera* / chemistry
  • Nutritive Value
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Phenols