A Review of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology on Moringa Oleifera

ABSTRACT

Natural extracts have been of very interest since ancient times due to their enormous medicinal use and research attention. Moringa oleifera is well known as miracle tree as it consists of high nutritive values. Originally from India is widely distributed in many tropical regions, in the pacific region, west Africa as well as central America. India is the major supplier of Moringa worldwide, accounting for around 80% of global demand. It is a multipurpose plant cultivated for medicinal applications. It contains rich sources of Vit- A, B1, B2, B3 and C, It also has calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc and phospherus. Moringa species contain various phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, saponins,tannins, steroids.phenolic acids( gallic, vanillic and p-coumaric acids) and flavanoids(catechin), tocopherol ,glucosinolates and terpenes. Investigations of ethanol extract of the leaves gives lutein, B-carotene,phytyl fatty acids, esters, poly phenols, B- sitosterols,triglycerols,fatty acids and saturated hydrocarbons. Leaves were obtained by super critical extraction with CO2 using ethanol as a cosolvent, temperature 35-80 0C.The phenolic acids( gallic, vanillic and p- coumaric acids) and flavanoids(catechin) were identified in all extracts. Extracts obtained at 35 degrees shows the highest values of total phenolic compounds. The activities of plant include Anti-oxidants, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-viral,anti- hyperglycemic,anti-hyperlipidemic,anti-inflammatory,anti-hypertension, anti-spasmodic and others. Due to covid-19 pandemic, the global Moringa products market size is estimated to be worth USD 5167.2 million in 2022. Leaf powder is expected to exceed USD 6 billion by 2025 on account of increasing demand in the dietary supplement and food applications.