Preprint / Version 1

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

Authors

  • Ashutosh Pareek Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304022, Rajasthan, India
  • Malvika Pant Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304022, Rajasthan, India
  • Madan Gupta School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 3303, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Pushpa Kashania Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304022, Rajasthan, India
  • Yashumati Ratan Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304022, Rajasthan, India
  • Vivek Jain Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur 313001, Rajasthan, India
  • Aaushi Pareek Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304022, Rajasthan, India
  • Anil Chuturgoon Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa

Keywords:

Moringa oleifera, traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological activity, phytochemistry, phytopharmaceutical formulation, toxicity

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, traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological activity, phytochemistry, phytopharmaceutical formulation, toxicity