Moringa Oleifera: Chemical Composition

Moringa Oleifera is a plant used in traditional medicine for a number of purposes. The wide range of medicinal uses reflects the rich nutritional content of the plant, particularly the leaves, extracts of which can be used to treat  cardiac and circulatory stimulants. Extracts also possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Other parts of the plant including the roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods may also have the same medicinal properties. The nutritional value of the plant is based on a large number of phytochemicals within the plant tissues, and these include vitamins, β-carotene and various phenolics. The plant is also a good source of protein and amino acids. The Moringa plant also contains a rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, β-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol, which may contribute to its medicinal properties.

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Anwar, F., Latif, S., Ashraf, M. and Gilani, A. H. 2007. Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives. 21(1): 17-25

About Robert Barrington

Robert Barrington is a writer, nutritionist, lecturer and philosopher.
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