Purification, Identification, and Mechanistic Investigation of Novel Selenium-Enriched Antioxidant Peptides from Moringa oleifera Seeds.

In this study, five novel Se-enriched antioxidant peptides (FLSeML, LSeMAAL, LASeMMVL, SeMLLAA, and LSeMAL) were purified and identified from Se-enriched Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seed protein hydrolysate. The five peptides showed excellent cellular antioxidant activity, with respective EC50 values of 0.291, 0.383, 0.662, 0.1, and 0.123 µg/mL. The five peptides (0.025 mg/mL) increased the cell viability from 78.72 to 90.71, 89.16, 93.92, 83.68, and 98.29%, respectively, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and significantly increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in damaged cells. Molecular docking results revealed that the five novel Se-enriched peptides interacted with the key amino acid of Keap1, thus directly blocking the interaction of Keap1-Nrf2 and activating the antioxidant stress response to enhance the ability of scavenging free radicals in vitro. In conclusion, Se-enriched M. oleifera seed peptides exhibited significant antioxidant activity and can be expected to find widespread use as a highly active natural functional food additive and ingredient.

Composition and Characterization of Cold Pressed Moringa oleifera Seed Oil.

The present study aims to investigate the volatile compound and the triacylglycerol profiles of Tunisian cold pressed Moringa oleifera seed oil (MoSO) and to assess its thermal properties and its biological activities. GC-MS analysis identified thirty six phyto-compounds amounting to 98.99% of the total oil. These compounds were classified into eleven groups among which the fatty acid one exhibited the highest intensity (91.63%). Cis, 6-octadecenoic acid was the most abundant compound (70.68%). The triacylglycerol composition of MoSO was characterized by the predominance of the glycerol trioleate (OOO) (32.42±0.12%). Thermogravimetric analysis of MoSO showed that the oil possess an interesting thermal stability with a highly Onset temperatures (Tonset) of 390.72°C and 357.47°C, respectively in nitrogen and air atmospheres. By using the ABTS assay, MoSO exhibited an interesting antioxidant capacity of 365 µM TEAC. The oil was also endowed with a relatively strong anti-inflammatory activity since its treatment at the different concentrations tested (75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). However, no antimicrobial activity was observed. On the basis of the obtained results, MoSO could be used in diverse industrial applications such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food fields thanks to its thermal stability and interesting biological activities.

Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera seed polysaccharide embedded silver nanoparticles in wound healing.

Wound healing is a complicated process that influences patient's life quality. Plant-based polysaccharide has recently gained interest in its use in wound dressing materials because of its biological compatibility, natural abundance, and ideal physiochemical properties. The present study reveals the potential of polysaccharide isolated from Moringa oleifera seed (MOS-PS) and its nanocomposite with silver (MOS-PS-AgNPs) as alternative materials for wound dressing. First, MOS-PS was isolated and structurally characterized by TLC, HPLC, FTIR, NMR, and GPC analyses. A green and simple method was used to synthesize AgNPs using MOS-PS as a stabilizing and reducing agent. The size, morphology, and structure of the MOS-PS-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The results showed that the MOS-PS-AgNPs were spherically shaped, having no cytotoxicity toward mouse fibroblasts cells and promoting their in-vitro migration. Moreover, the MOS-PS-AgNPs displayed strong anti-microbial activity against wound infectious pathogenic bacteria. Finally, the MOS-PS-AgNPs were used for dressing animal wounds and its preliminary mechanism was studied by RT-PCR and histological analysis. The results showed that the MOS-PS-AgNPs can promote wound contraction and internal tissue growth well. Overall, our results indicated that the MOS-PS-AgNPs might be an excellent candidate for use as an optimal wound dressing material.

Moringa oleifera seed extract protects against brain damage in both the acute and delayed stages of ischemic stroke.

The extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds exerts various pharmacological effects. Our previous study demonstrated that M. oleifera seed extract (MSE) alleviates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice. In the present study, we investigate the neuropharmacological properties of 70% ethanolic MSE in the acute and delayed stages of ischemic stroke. MSE may be effective for the prevention and/or treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The most effective dose was 500 mg/kg, and the therapeutic window seemed to be within 4 h after reperfusion. Additionally, we found that MSE treatment improved animal survival, reversed spatial cognitive impairment and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity as well as the cholinergic neurotransmission system during the recovery stages of ischemic stroke. Our findings verified that MSE has neuroprotective effects in both the acute and chronic stages of ischemic stroke. The relevant mechanism of protection may occur by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity as well as improving cholinergic function. These findings suggest that M. oleifera seed extract may be a promising neuroprotective agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Effects of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seed on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera seeds have been reported to increase sexual activity of male rats but its mechanism of action remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: Cadmium is a heavy metal that induces reproductive toxicity. To elucidate its possible mechanisms of action, the effects of aqueous extract of Moringa seeds (AEMS) on Cadmium-induced reproductive damage were investigated. METHODS: Thirty male rats (180-200g, n=5) were grouped as follows: Control, Cadmium (2mg/kg), AEMS (100 and 500mg/kg), Cadmium+100mg/kg AEMS and Cadmium+500mg/kg AEMS. Single intraperitoneal dose of Cadmium was administered while AEMS was given daily (p.o) for 6 weeks and thereafter sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Sperm variables were examined microscopically while serum was analysed for sex hormones and antioxidants, testicular and epididymal total protein from tissue homogenate. Data were analysed using Students t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Cadmium caused significant decrease in sperm variables. The AEMS decreased sperm motility, count and testosterone. These declines were dose dependent. Total testicular protein was significantly lowered by AEMS but total epididymal protein was not affected. Serum catalase and SOD was reduced by AEMS while MDA increased. CONCLUSION: Moringa seeds may exhibit male reproductive toxicity, as observed from its deleterious effect on androgen and sperm variables. It failed to prevent cadmium-induced alteration in reproductive variables and serum antioxidants.

Physico-chemical properties of Moringa oleifera seed oil enzymatically interesterified with palm stearin and palm kernel oil and its potential application in food.

BACKGROUND: High oleic acid Moringa oleifera seed oil (MoO) has been rarely applied in food products due to the low melting point and lack of plasticity. Enzymatic interesterification (EIE) of MoO with palm stearin (PS) and palm kernel oil (PKO) could yield harder fat stocks that may impart desirable nutritional and physical properties. RESULTS: Blends of MoO and PS or PKO were examined for triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, thermal properties and solid fat content (SFC). EIE caused rearrangement of TAGs, reduction of U3 and increase of U2 S in MoO/PS blends while reduction of U3 and S3 following increase of S2 U and U2 S in MoO/PKO blends (U, unsaturated and S, saturated fatty acids). SFC measurements revealed a wide range of plasticity, enhancements of spreadability, mouthfeel and cooling effect for interesterified MoO/PS, indicating the possible application of these blends in margarines. However, interesterified MoO/PKO was not suitable in margarine application, while ice-cream may be formulated from these blends. A soft margarine formulated from MoO/PS 70:30 revealed high oxidative stability during 8 weeks storage with no significant changes in peroxide and p-anisidine values. CONCLUSION: EIE of fats with MoO allowed nutritional and oxidative stable plastic fats to be obtained, suitable for possible use in industrial food applications. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cytotoxicity and effect of extraction methods on the chemical composition of essential oils of Moringa oleifera seeds.

Renewed interest in natural materials as food flavors and preservatives has led to the search for suitable essential oils. Moringa oleifera seed essential oil was extracted by solvent-free microwave and hydrodistillation. This study assessed its chemical constituents. Cytotoxicity of the oils was investigated using hatchability and lethality tests on brine shrimps. A total of 16 and 26 compounds were isolated from the hydrodistillation extraction (HDE) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SME) oils, respectively, which accounted for 97.515% and 97.816% of total identifiable constituents, respectively. At 24 h when the most eggs had hatched, values of the SME (56.7%) and HDE (60.0%) oils were significantly different (P<0.05) from those of sea water (63.3%) and chloramphenicol (15.0%). Larva lethality was different significantly (P<0.05) between HDE and SME oils at different concentrations and incubation periods. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of the oils was >1000 mg/ml recommended as an index for non-toxicity, which gives the oil advantage over some antioxidant, antimicrobial, therapeutic, and preservative chemicals.