Studies on chemical constituents and activities of lignans and terpenes from stem of Moringa oleifera / 中草药

Objective: To study lignans and terpenes of Moringa oleifera Lam. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic techniques and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The structures of the compounds were identified through the combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. The antineoplastic activity, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of compounds were evaluated by MTT method, PNPG method and Ellman colorimetric method, respectively. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated from M. oleifera by various chromatographic methods and were identified as lariciresinol (1), 3-(α,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzyl) tetrahydrofuran (2), (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (3), macadiol (4), diethyl pinoresinol (5), pinoresinol (6), evofolin B (7), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4’-dihydroconiferyl alcohol (8), tricyclohumuladiol (9), 9α-hydroxy-2β-methoxyclovane (10), 3β-hydroxy-oleana-11,13 (18)-dien-28-oic acid (11), oleanolic acid (12). Compounds 12 showed antineoplastic activity. Compound 1 and 2 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Conclusion: Compounds 1-11 are separated from Moringa Adans for the first time. This plant has the potential of developing functional product for their antineoplastic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Values, properties and utility of different parts of Moringa oleifera: An overview / 中草药·英文版

Moringa oleifera is one of the most widespread species belonging to family Moringaceae. Almost each part of this tree has enormous properties in nutrition, medicine, or other industrial purposes. This review mainly introduces nutritional ingredients, bioactive compounds, applications, and potentials of this tree, including leaves, seeds, pods, flowers, root barks, and gum, in order to bring convenience to industries and researchers all over the world focusing on each part of this amazing plant. Moreover, the review also analyzes the current application situation of M. oleifera in China. After summarizing the recent researches of M. oleifera, we conclude that most current researches focus on the leaves and seeds of this plant, and the most concerned property of M. oleifera is the antioxidant ability. However, the molecular mechanisms under its multiple properties need further studies.

Bioethanol production with different dosages of the commercial Acrylamide polymer compared to a Bioextract in clarifying sugarcane juice

ABSTRACT One of the most important steps is to clarify the juice, which are added synthetic polymer acrylamide base, aiming the fast settling of impurities present in the juice. However, this input is expensive and may have carcinogenic and neurotoxic actions to humans. The search for new natural flocculants that have similarity with the commercial product is of great value. A bioextract that may be promising and has coagulant action is the Moringa oleifera Lam. In this context, the objective of the research was to evaluate the consequences of the use of moringa seed extracts and various concentrations of commercial polymer, such as sedimentation aids in clarifying sugarcane juice in the ethanol production, comparing the efficiency of the bioextract moringa. In the treatment of the juice, excessive addition of flocculants can result in reduction of sugars. The bioflocculant moringa was similar in technological features and the fermentative viability compared to usual dose of commercial polymer in Brazil. The fermentation efficiency was also higher for this flocculant, followed by moringa extract. The results obtained in this research indicate potential to the moringa bioextract, particularly in countries where the doses of flocculants are higher than 5 mg.L-1.

Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of decolorized Moringa oleifera Lam leaf flour

BACKGROUND: Maringa oleifera leaves are rich in antioxidant substances; however, when lyophilized leaves were used in flour form in meat products, they presented no antioxidant effect and even accelerated the oxidation process of the product. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorophyll extraction on the physicochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Moringa leaves. METHODS: Moringa leaves were dried and ground in order to obtain uniform flour. A treatment using chlorophyll extraction (decolorized) was tested versus a control treatment(non-decolorized) for proximate composition, instrumental color, and antioxidant activity using ANOVA followed by Tukey'stest. RESULTS: Higher crude fiber, ash, and protein contents were observed for decolorized flour (19.41 and 38.13%, 11.87 and14.02%, and 28.81 and 31.33%, respectively) when compared to those for the control. Chlorophyll extraction significantly affected (p< 0.05) the instrumental color of the leaves flour. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of both decolorized and control flour was 3.74 and 4.30 mg/L, respectively. The equivalent of antioxidant per gramof non-decolorized leaves was higher than that observed for the decolorized leaves (0.36 and 0.32 g/g DPPH, respectively). The antioxidant activity (AA%) of the extract from non-decolorized leaves was higher in the concentrations of 5 and 2.5 mg/0.1 mL, while the decolorized leaves was higher in the extract concentration 5 and 2 mg/0.1 ml. CONCLUSION: The decolorization process affected the chemical composition and color of Moringa oleifera leaves flours however did not improve its antioxidant activity

Análisis preliminar de los metabolitos secundarios de polvos mixtos de hojas de plantas medicinales / Preliminary analysis of secondary metabolites in mixed powders of leaves of medicinal plants

Introducción: el tamizaje fitoquímico de una planta brinda una percepción sobre los posibles beneficios medicinales; la literatura refiere información de esta determinación en las hojas deAnacardium occidentale L., Psidium guajava L., Morinda citrifolia L. y Moringa oleifera Lam. , no obstante, en cuanto al polvo mixto de sus hojas no se encontró información disponible. Objetivo: determinar los metabolitos secundarios mediante tamizaje fitoquímico a los polvos mixtos de hojas de A. occidentale, P. guajava, M. citrifolia y M. oleifera. Métodos: se recolectaron las hojas de las plantas en estudio, estas se deshidrataron a temperatura ambiente y artificial, seguidamente se trituraron a 1 mm de tamaño de partículas. Para la elaboración de las muestras se tomó el polvo seco obtenido de las hojas y se mezcló en cinco proporciones. Luego, se realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico a los extractos hidro-alchólicos obtenidos de las muestras. Resultados: el tamizaje fitoquímico de los polvos mixtos no detectó resinas, ni flavonoides, excepto en la muestra 4, que se observó este último metabolito. Las quinonas abundan en todas las muestras, excepto en el ensayo 1, que se detectó poca presencia. Además, las proporciones 1, 2 y 3 presentaron saponinas y los alcaloides se identificaron en las muestras 1, 4 y 5, así como, las coumarinas se observaron en las muestras con mayores proporciones de las plantas individuales. Los otros metabolitos secundarios se detectaron con baja presencia en todas las mezclas. Conclusiones: de acuerdo al análisis preliminar de los metabolitos secundarios de los polvos mixtos de hojas de P. guajava, A. occidentale, M. oleifera y M. citrifolia, se sugiere el estudio de estas mezclas medicinales como aditivo fitoquímico en las dietas de los animales, como primer estudio biológico(AU)

Introduction: Phytochemical screening of a plant provides insight into its potential medicinal uses. Phytochemical data about the leaves of Anacardium occidentale L., Psidium guajava L., Morinda citrifolia L. and Moringa oleifera Lam. may be found in the literature. However, no information was found about the mixed powder of these leaves. Objective: Perform phytochemical screening of mixed powders of leaves of A. occidentale, P. guajava, M. citrifolia and M. oleifera to determine their secondary metabolites. Methods: Leaves of the study plants were collected, dehydrated at ambient and room temperature and crushed to 1 mm particles. The study samples were formed by mixing the dry powder from the leaves at five proportions. Phytochemical screening was then conducted of the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the samples. Results: Phytochemical screening of the mixed powders did not detect any resins or flavonoids, except in sample 4, where the latter metabolite was found. Quinones are abundant in all samples, except for assay 1, where they were scant. Proportions 1, 2 and 3 contained saponins; alkaloids were identified in samples 1, 4 and 5; and coumarines were found in the samples with greater proportions of individual plants. The remaining secondary metabolites had a low presence in all the mixtures. Conclusions: Based on the preliminary analysis of secondary metabolites in mixed powders of leaves of P. guajava, A. occidentale, M. oleifera and M. citrifolia, it is suggested to study these medicinal mixtures as phytochemical additives in animal feed as a first biological study(AU)

Estudio farmacognóstico preliminar de tallo y raíz de la especie Moringa Oleífera lam cosechada en Machala / Preliminary pharmacognostic study of the stem and root of the species Moringa Oleifera lam grown in Machala

Introducción: la composición química de las especies vegetales está sujeta a cambios, dependiendo, entre otros factores, de la localización geográfica. Moringa oleífera Lam., que crece en Machala, Ecuador, puede diferir de especies de otras regiones geográficas. Objetivo: realizar un estudio farmacognóstico preliminar del tallo y raíz (corteza y pulpa) de la planta M. oleífera cultivada en las áreas de la Unidad Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, de la Universidad Técnica de Machala. Métodos: se desarrolla el control de la calidad de la droga cruda según la metodología establecida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, mediante determinación de la humedad residual, el porciento de cenizas y el porciento de sustancias solubles en el tallo y la raíz. Se cuantificaron algunos metales mediante espectrometría de emisión óptica con plasma acoplado inductivamente. El estudio químico preliminar se efectuó a través de ensayos de tamizaje fitoquímico y mediante cromatografía en capa delgada. Resultados: la humedad residual para ambos órganos y los valores de cenizas obtenidos para la raíz se encuentran dentro de los límites establecidos. Las cenizas totales para el tallo resultaron elevadas. La determinación de metales descartó la presencia de metales tóxicos en los órganos estudiados. Los valores de sustancias solubles indicaron mayor poder extractivo para el agua. La evaluación mediante tamizaje fitoquímico sugirió triterpenos y esteroides, azúcares reductores, alcaloides, flavonoides, aminoácidos y saponinas, en los extractos de la raíz. En el tallo se detectaron, además, catequinas, mucílagos y compuestos fenólicos, no así flavonoides. La cromatografía en capa delgada sugirió la existencia de alcaloides derivados de la fenilmetilamina. Conclusiones: el estudio permitió establecer parámetros de calidad de la droga cruda para la especie estudiada; sugerir, en principio, semejanzas en composición química de la planta analizada con otras de orígenes geográficos diferentes, y comprobar la ausencia de metales tóxicos en los órganos estudiados(AU)

Introduction: The chemical composition of plant species is subject to changes which depend, among other factors, on their geographic location. The Moringa oleifera Lam. growing in Machala, Ecuador, may differ from species from other geographic regions. Objective: Conduct a preliminary pharmacognostic study of the stem and root (bark and pulp) of the plant M. oleifera grown in areas from the Agricultural Sciences Academic Unit of the Technical University of Machala. Methods: Quality control was performed of the crude drug following the methodology set up by the World Health Organization to determine residual humidity, percentage of ashes and percentage of soluble substances in the stem and the root. Several metals were quantified by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The preliminary chemical study was conducted by phytochemical screening testing and thin layer chromatography. Results: Both the residual humidity for both organs and the ash values obtained for the root are within the limits established. Total ashes for the stem were high. Metal determination discarded the presence of toxic metals in the organs studied. Values for soluble substances awarded a greater extraction capacity to water. Phytochemical screening pointed to the presence of triterpenes and steroids, reducing sugars, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids and saponins in root extracts. The stem was found to also contain catechins, mucilages and phenolic compounds, but not flavonoids. Thin layer chromatography pointed to the presence of alkaloids derived from phenyl methylamine. Conclusions: The study made it possible to set up crude drug quality parameters for the study species, make preliminary suggestions about similarities between the chemical composition of the plant analyzed and other plants of different geographic origin, and verify the absence of toxic metals in the organs studied(AU)

Molecular mechanisms of the anti-obesity potential effect of Moringa oleifera in the experimental model

Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the potent anti-obesity effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) ethanolic extract and to clarify the link between these mechanisms and the associated metabolic and vascular risks in the experimental model of visceral obesity. Methods: M. oleifera ethanolic extract was orally administered at 600 mg/kg body weight in obese female rats daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, body weight was deter-mined, and the atherogenic index, coronary artery index, glucose level, insulin resistance status, liver and kidney functions were assessed. Also, the mRNA of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in visceral adipose tissue was determined by quantitative real time-PCR. Results: The results showed that M. oleifera extract down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, while it up-regulated adiponectin gene expression in obese rats relative to untreated obese control counterparts. This amelioration of genes expression was paralleled by a reduction in body weight and improvement of the atherogenic index and coronary artery index, as well as glucose level and insulin resistance value without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, versus the untreated obese control ones. Conclusions: It is reasonable to assume that the anti-obesity, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of M. oleifera are mechanistically achieved via working directly on the adipokines of the visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, M. oleifera may be a good thera-peutic candidate for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Molecular mechanisms of the anti-obesity potential effect of Moringa oleifera in the experimental model

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the potent anti-obesity effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) ethanolic extract and to clarify the link between these mechanisms and the associated metabolic and vascular risks in the experimental model of visceral obesity. Methods M. oleifera ethanolic extract was orally administered at 600 mg/kg body weight in obese female rats daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, body weight was determined, and the atherogenic index, coronary artery index, glucose level, insulin resistance status, liver and kidney functions were assessed. Also, the mRNA of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in visceral adipose tissue was determined by quantitative real time-PCR. Results The results showed that M. oleifera extract down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, while it up-regulated adiponectin gene expression in obese rats relative to untreated obese control counterparts. This amelioration of genes expression was paralleled by a reduction in body weight and improvement of the atherogenic index and coronary artery index, as well as glucose level and insulin resistance value without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, versus the untreated obese control ones. Conclusions It is reasonable to assume that the anti-obesity, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of M. oleifera are mechanistically achieved via working directly on the adipokines of the visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, M. oleifera may be a good therapeutic candidate for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Moringa oleifera: una opción saludable para el bienestar / Moringa oleifera: a healthy option for the well-being

La Moringa oleifera Lam, conocida en Cuba como paraíso francés, entre otros nombres, es una planta con innumerables propiedades nutritivas y terapéuticas, por lo cual pudiera ser considerada como uno de los alimentos que contribuyen al bienestar y a la prevención de enfermedades por sus efectos antioxidantes. Es apremiante llamar a su cultivo, utilización y consumo racional, no solo por sus propiedades, sino también como parte de un estilo de vida sano. A tales efectos, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con vistas a exponer algunos de sus usos medicinales.

The Moringa oleifera Lam, known in Cuba as French paradise, among other names, is a tree with countless nutritional and therapeutic properties, reason why it could be considered as one of the foods that contributes to the well-being and the prevention of diseases due to its anti-oxidative effects. It is urgent to promote its cultivation, use and rational consumption, not only for its properties, but also as part of a sound lifestyle. To such effects, a literature review was carried out aimed at exposing some of its medicinal uses.