Antinociception Induced by Moringa Stenopetela (Baker f.) Cufod. Leaves Extract and Possible Mechanisms of Action

Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., is an endemic species growing in the south of Ethiopia. M. stenopetala is often consumed as food and used in traditional medicine and it has also been traditionally used for relieving of pain in Ethiopia. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect and mechanisms of action of M. stenopetala leaves methanol extract in mice. The per-oral doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of M. stenopetala extract were tested for antinociceptive action by using hot-plate, tail-immersion, and writhing tests. The possible mechanisms of in the antinociceptive action were investigated by pre-treatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone (non-selective opioid antagonist), 1 mg/kg ketanserin (5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), and 1 mg/kg yohimbine (α2 adrenoceptor antagonist). The methanol extract of M. stenopetala showed antinociceptive effect in all tests. The significant involvement of 5-HT2A/2C receptors and α2 adrenoceptors in antinociception induced by M. stenopetala extract in the hot-plate and tail-immersion tests, as well as significant contribution of opioid receptors and α2 adrenoceptors in writhing test, were identified. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the methanol extract of M. stenopetala has potential in pain management. Thisstudywillcontributetonewtherapeuticapproachesandprovideguidancefornewdrug development studies.

Moringa oleifera Plant as potent alternate to Chemical Coagulant in Water Purification

Abstract Quality of groundwater is threatened due to pollution by industrial, domestic and agricultural waste. A large number of populations are residing in rural areas which are unable to afford high cost water purifiers due to their low income as well as limited awareness. However, limited availability of fresh water has become a critical issue in developing countries. Around 1.2 billion population is deprived of affordable and safe water for their domestic need. Additionally, chemical coagulants which are nowadays being used for water purification pose severe and numerous health hazards to human. Thus utilization of easily accessible natural coagulant for water purification might offer a sustainable, practical and cost effective solution to the current alarming situation in developing countries. Several experimental findings have shown strong efficiency of Moringa oleifera plant extracts obtained from different solvents in the improvement of water quality parameters including physicochemical (such as pH, hardness, turbidity, metallic impurities, total dissolved solid) and biological (E.coli count) parameter. We have also highlighted the limitations and advantages of chemical coagulation in water purification. Altogether, this review summarizes one such miracle tree which has shown significant potential as a natural coagulant and its associated underlying mechanism in water purification process.

Moringa oleifera: un producto natural con posibilidades para ser usado en pacientes con diabetes mellitus / Moringa oleifera: a natural product with chances of being used in patients with diabetes mellitus

Introducción: La búsqueda de nuevos fármacos o de productos naturales que mejoren la calidad de la atención y los resultados en el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus continúan. La Moringa oleifera tiene variados usos y es uno de los productos naturales que desde hace años se evalúa con este fin, por sus sustanciales propiedades curativas. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de la Moringa oleifera como un producto natural con posibilidades de ser usado en pacientes con diabetes mellitus. Método: Se utilizaron como buscadores de información científica a SciELO, PubMed, Google y a Google Académico. La estrategia de búsqueda incluyó los siguientes términos como palabras claves: Moringa oleifera, diabetes mellitus, propiedades antidiabéticas, reacciones adversas. Se evaluaron artículos de revisión, de investigación y páginas Web que, en general, tenían menos de 10 años de publicados, en idioma español, portugués e inglés, y que hicieran referencia específicamente al tema de estudio a través del título. Esto permitió evaluar 120 artículos, de los cuales 64 fueron referenciados. Conclusiones: La Moringa oleifera es una planta que constituye un producto natural con propiedades nutracéuticas y funcionales. Puede usarse como un coadyuvante en los tratamientos convencionales indicados para el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus, lo cual dependería de los resultados de ensayos clínicos rigurosos, que permitan dilucidar si realmente es capaz de contribuir a lograr en el humano, un control glucémico eficaz, sin efectos secundarios importantes e incluso ayudar a mejorar algunas de las complicaciones y comorbilidades que habitualmente acompañan a la diabetes mellitus(AU)

Introduction: The search of new drugs or natural products that improve the quality of care and the results of diabetes mellitus treatment continue. Moringa oleifera has different uses and is one of the natural products that have been assessed through the years with that purpose, due to its considerable curative properties. Objective: Assess the effects of Moringa oleifera as a natural product with chances of being used in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: There were used as scientific information searchers ScieELO, PubMed, Google and Google Scholar. The search strategy included the following terms as keywords: Moringa oleifera, diabetes mellitus, anti-diabetic properties, adverse reactions. Review articles, research articles and web pages were assessed; in general terms, those had less than 10 years of being published, were in Spanish, Portuguese and English languages, and were making specific reference in the title to the studied subject. This allowed assessing 120 articles, of which 64 were quoted. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera is a plant that constitutes a natural product with nutraceutical and functional properties. It can be used as a contributory agent in conventional treatments indicated for diabetes mellitus, which will depend on the results of strict clinical trials that allow to clarify if it is actually capable of contributing to achieve an efficient glycemic control in humans, without relevant side effects, or even to help improving some of the complications and comorbidities that usually accompany diabetes mellitus(AU)

Goitrogenic/antithyroidal potential of moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) of Indian origin on thyroid status in male albino rats

Moringa leaves and spinach used as vegetables containing cyanogens and polyphenols having suspected antithyroidal activity; however, detailed studies in this aspect found unavailable. Goitrogenic/antithyroid potentiality of those plant foods of Indian origin was evaluated. To explore the goitrogenic/antithyroid effect of those plant foods cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates, thiocyanate and polyphenol content were measured. These plant foods were fed with diet regularly to adult male albino rats for 30 and 60 days respectively, followed by evaluation of morphological and functional status of thyroid,as thyroid gland weight, the activity status of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes viz. TPO, Na+-K+-ATPase, deiodinase I, thyroid hormone profiles, thyroid histoarchitecture as well as urinary iodine and thiocyanate. In moringa leaves and spinach fed diet, there was a significant increase in urinary excretion of thiocyanate and iodine, enlargement of thyroid gland along with hypertrophy of thyroid follicles and altered in the activities of thyroid hormone synthesizing enzymes with concomitant changes of thyroid hormone profiles. Effects were more severe in moringa leaves treated group than that of spinach. Biochemical analysis moringa leaves and spinach reveal that those are rich sources of goitrogens and their prolonged consumption gradually developed a relative state of biochemical and morphological hypothyroidism.

Moringa oleifera leaf powder alters the pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine in healthy human volunteers.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam (Moringaceae) is commonly used as food supplement and as medicine in most African countries where malaria is also endemic. Therefore, co-administration of MO with antimalarials is a possibility. This study investigated the effects of MO leaves powder on the pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine (AQ) in human subjects. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited for the 3-period study. In the first period, a single dose of AQ tablet (10 mg/kg) was administered orally after an overnight fast. After a 7-day washout period, AQ was co-administered with MO. For the third period, each subject took 3 g MO once daily for 7 days and on the 8th day, MO was co-administered with AQ. The plasma concentrations of amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine (DEAQ) were simultaneously determined using a validated HPLC method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results showed a significant decrease (P = .037) in the Cmax of AQ after concurrent administration (CA) with MO, whereas after pretreatment (PT), there was a 32% decrease in the Cmax of AQ. For the metabolite, DEAQ, Cmax increased significantly (P = .006) by 79.36%, and Cmax in PT was significantly higher than (P = .001) that of the CA arm of the study. AUC of DEAQ increased significantly by 40.4% (P = .006) and by 188% (P = .001) after CA and PT, respectively. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The study established pharmacokinetic interaction between AQ and MO when given together or following a long period of ingestion of MO. This may have clinical implications for malaria therapy.

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and toxicological evaluation of semi-synthetic molecules obtained from a benzyl-isothiocyanate isolated from Moringa oleifera Lam. in a temporomandibular joint inflammatory hypernociception model in rats.

Inflammation is a key component of many clinical conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and Moringa oleifera Lam. has been used to treat inflammatory diseases. Here, we evaluated the toxicological effects on mice of a naturally-occurring isothiocyanate from M. oleifera and its seven analogue molecules. Further, the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on a rat model of TMJ inflammatory hypernociception were assessed. The systemic toxicological profile was determined in mice over a 14-day period: MC-1 1 µg/kg; MC-D1 1 µg/kg, MC-D3 100 µg/kg, MC-D6 1 µg/kg, MC-D7 1 µg/kg, MC-D8 1 µg/kg, MC-D9 10 µg/kg, and MC-H 1 µg/kg. The safest molecules were assayed for anti-nociceptive efficacy in the formalin (1.5%, 50 µL) and serotonin (255 mg) induced TMJ inflammatory hypernociception tests. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated through the vascular permeability assay using Evans blue. Further, the rota-rod test evaluated any motor impairment. Among the tested molecules, MC-D7, MC-D9, and MC-H were not toxic at the survival rate test, biochemical, and hystological analysis. They reduced the formalin-induced TMJ inflammatory hypernociception, but only MC-H decreased the serotonin-induced TMJ inflammation, suggesting an adrenergic receptor-dependent effect. They diminished the plasmatic extravasation, showing anti-inflammatory activity. At the rota-rod test, no difference was observed in comparison with control groups, reinforcing the hypothesis of anti-nociceptive effetc without motor impairment in animals. The analogues MC-D7, MC-D9, and MC-H were safe at the tested doses and efficient in reducing the formalin-induced TMJ hypernociception in rats. Our next steps include determining their mechanisms of anti-nociceptive action.

Moringa oleifera seeds increase serum cholesterol concentration in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) seeds on serum lipid concentrations in rats fed standard chow or high cholesterol diet. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups and fed standard chow (control), standard chow + 1% moringa seed powder, 4% cholesterol diet alone, or 4% cholesterol diet + 0.5% or 1% moringa seed powder for 12 weeks. Moringa seeds and rat chow were crushed and mixed with cholesterol powder as required. Serum lipid concentrations were measured at weeks 0, 6 and 12, and fecal cholesterol concentration was measured at week 12. Liver and kidney functions were evaluated by biochemical assessment of relevant parameters including aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine and urea. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone or with moringa seed powder (0.5% or 1%) in comparison to rats fed standard chow. Fecal cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone as compared to the control group. Moringa did not have a significant effect on serum and fecal cholesterol concentrations in rats fed standard chow. There was no significant difference in concentrations of liver and kidney parameters or relative organ weights between groups. CONCLUSION: Despite popular belief of antilipemic potential, moringa seed powder increases serum cholesterol concentration, specifically LDL, in the presence of a high cholesterol diet. Moringa seed powder inhibited the fecal elimination of dietary cholesterol in rats.

Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were collected, air-dried, pulverized, and subjected to cold extraction with methanol. The methanol extract was screened phytochemically for its chemical components and used for acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in rats. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and cardiac glycosides but the absence of anthraquinones. Although signs of acute toxicity were observed at a dose of 4,000 mg kg-1 in the acute toxicity test, and mortality was recorded at 5,000 mg kg-1, no adverse effect was observed at concentrations lower than 3,000 mg kg-1. The median lethal dose of the extract in rat was 3,873 mg kg-1. Sub-acute administration of the seed extract caused significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of alanine and aspartate transferases (ALT and AST), and significant (p<0.05) decrease in weight of experimental rats, at 1,600 mg kg-1. The study concludes that the extract of seeds of M. oleifera is safe both for medicinal and nutritional uses.