Moringa Oleifera

How It Works

Moringa oleifera (MO) is an edible plant cultivated worldwide. The leaves and seed pods are consumed as food. Extracts from its leaves, bark, seed pods, and pulp are also used in a variety of folk medicine treatments, either given by mouth or as a topical agent applied to the skin. Products derived from the herb are used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, diabetes, ulcers, infections and cancer. MO has not been studied in humans as a cancer treatment.

Research Evidence

Moringa oleifera has been studied in the laboratory and in animals, but only a few small studies have been conducted in humans and are insufficient to draw any conclusions.

Patient Warnings

• Although Moringa oleifera leaves are a part of the diet in some regions of the world, lab studies have indicated that parts of the plant, especially the bark and the pulp, may be harmful in large doses.

• Purported Uses

  • Antibacterial
  • Antifungal
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Diabetes
  • Ulcers
  • Anticancer
  • 
    

  • Constituents

  • Carotenoids: alpha-carotene, pro-vitamin A
  • Glucosinolates: 4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl glucosinolate
  • Glycosides: niazinin, niazinin A, niazinin B, niazimicin, niaziminin A and B
  • Isothiocyanates: 4-(4’-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate, 4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate
  • Pterygospermin
  • Saponins, free anthraquinones, and alkaloids
  • Flavonols: kaempferol , 3’-OMe quercetin
  • Flavone: acacetin; glycoflavone: 4-OMe vitexin
  • Phenolic acids: melilotic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid
  • (2) (37)
  • Clinical Summary
    
    

    Moringa oleifera (MO) is an edible plant that is native to Asia and Africa but is cultivated around the world. The leaves and the seed pods are nutritious and widely consumed as food; the bark and the root are thought to have medicinal properties and are used in folk remedies. Products derived from the herb are used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, diabetes, ulcers, infections and cancer. Extracts from the plant are used in primitive water filtration systems to remove harmful pollutants and algae (1).
    
    In vitro and animal studies indicate that the leaf, seed, and root extracts of MO have anticancer (3)(4), hepatoprotective (10), hypoglycemic (12), anti-inflammatory (13)(14), antibacterial (18)(19), antifungal (20), antiviral (21), and antisickling (37) effects. They may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease (29) , stomach ulcers (24), help lower cholesterol levels (25), and promote wound healing (30). In addition, MO extract has demonstrated antifertility effects (28). Only a few studies of inadequate design and/or small number have been conducted in humans (36). In one of these studies, MO did exhibit a positive but small effect on lipid profiles (38) .

    MO inhibits CYP450 enzymes and may interact with prescription drugs.
  • https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/moringa-oleifera