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.

Possible protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on dexamethasone induced histological changes in adlt rat testes

Dexamethasone [Dex] is a widely used therapeutic agent for its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action. It has adverse effects on many body organs and systems. Moringa oleifera is an antioxidant-rich natural plant. It contains vitamins C and A, and various phenolic compounds. The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of M. oleifera leaf extract to protect rat testis against Dex-induced spermatogenic defects. Thirty adult male rats were divided equally into three groups [10 animals each]: the control group [group I] and two experimental groups [groups II and III]. Rats of group II were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 7mg/kg/day of Dex for 10 days. In group III the rats were treated with M. oleifera leaf extract at 400mg/kg/day, and then after 2h they were administered an intraperitoneal injection of Dex with the same dose as for group II for 10 days. The testes were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope examination. Microscopic examination revealed that most of the seminiferous tubules of group II were lined with germ cells with dark pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. The lumen of some tubules was obliterated with exfoliated and sometimes multinucleated giant cells. There was statistically highly significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormality. Degenerated interstitial Leydig cells were also observed. However, in the moringa-treated group, the histological changes were reduced and the percentage of sperm abnormality was more or less similar to that of the control group. These results demonstrated that M. oleifera leaf extract has a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity induced by Dex and hence might be clinically useful