Moringa is a nutritionally rich botanical with a high polyphenol content, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates ⁽⁴⁸⁾. In preclinical studies, fiber content of MO leaves mediated quercetin-3-glucoside to improve glucose tolerance ^(7) (12). Phenolic glycosides from the fruit show anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide ⁽¹³⁾. Dipeptide and urea derivatives from MO roots also have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects ⁽¹⁴⁾. The ethanolic seed extract produced immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocytes and splenocytes ⁽¹⁵⁾ as well as histamine release from mast cells ⁽¹⁶⁾.

In an animal model, MO root extract demonstrated protective effects on the liver and kidney in a dose-dependent manner ⁽²²⁾. Hepatoprotective effects from acetaminophen toxicity may occur by maintaining glutathione levels ⁽¹¹⁾. MO extract may protect against stomach ulcers by modulating 5-HT₃ receptors ⁽²⁴⁾ and lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase ⁽²⁵⁾.

Lab experiments suggest an array of other properties in this botanical. A leaf extract exhibited protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease by modulating brain monoamines ⁽²⁹⁾. It also may help promote wound healing by increasing collagen deposits ⁽³⁰⁾. Anticancer effects may occur via apoptosis ^(3) (4) and NF-kappaB inhibition ^(5) (46). In an animal model, an MO extract helped prevent chemically-induced tumor formation by increasing glutathione activity ⁽⁶⁾.

A moringa water extract showed hormone-modulating properties, stimulation of uterine and cervical epithelium metaplasia ^(26) (27), and antifertility effects ⁽²⁸⁾. In a murine model, MO was genotoxic at supra-supplementation levels of 3,000 mg/kg body weight ⁽³⁹⁾. In a case report of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome linked to ingestion of moringa, pathogenesis may be related to an immunomodulatory effect such as a delayed Th1-mediated hypersensitivity reaction ⁽⁴⁹⁾.