Moringa

Moringa/Drug Interactions:

  • AcetaminophenAcetaminophen: In rats, extracts of the stem bark of Moringa pterygosperma protected against acetaminophen (paracetamol)-induced hepatotoxicity (143). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (200 and 800mg/kg) prevented acetaminophen-induced liver injury (144).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In animal studies, Moringa oleifera and Moringa pterygosperma extracts showed analgesic activity (145; 146; 147).
  • Antiarsenic agentsAntiarsenic agents: In arsenic-treated rodents and in vitro studies, Moringa oleifera seed powder reduced uptake of arsenic and protected against oxidative stress (148; 26; 149). The effect was synergistic with monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (150).
  • AntiasthmaticsAntiasthmatics: In animal models of asthma, Moringa oleifera extracts prevented bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation, increased the tidal volume, and decreased respiration rates (19; 151; 152; 153).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In vitro, moringa extracts exhibited antibiotic effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens, and antibiotic-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Legionella species (154; 155; 156; 157; 158; 159; 160; 161; 162; 163). Water purified through Moringa oleifera seeds caused a 90.00-99.99% bacterial reduction within two hours, including heterotrophic bacteria and fecal coliforms (75; 105; 69).
  • Anticataract drugsAnticataract drugs: Moringa's relatively high in vitro bioaccessibility of beta-carotene and lutein may result in a delay of cataract development (45). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevented selenite-induced cataractogenesis (164). It prevented the morphological changes and oxidative damage in the lens.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extract significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and epinephrine (108).
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In diabetic animals, Moringa oleifera exhibited significant blood glucose-lowering activities (109; 165; 34; 110; 111). In normal rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract also decreased the blood glucose level (34). The effects were greater in diabetic rats than in normal rats (112). In diabetic animals, a significant reduction was found in urine sugar and urine protein levels. However, one study reported that Moringa oleifera increased the blood glucose level 15% in diabetic rats (33).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, Moringa oleifera extracts showed antifungal activities against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Basidiobolus haptosporus, B. ranarum, Mucor spp., Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium species (but not Aspergillus fumigatus, Geotrichum candidum, or Candida albicans) (166; 25; 155; 167; 168).
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In rats, constituents from the pods of Moringa oleifera (methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and beta-sitosterol) exhibited hypotensive effects (113).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In rodents, moringa species taken orally have exhibited the ability to significantly reduce carrageenin-induced paw edema (169; 145; 170; 106; 143; 147; 35; 171). Moringa oleifera extracts also inhibited inflammation in a rat six-day air pouch inflammatory model (171), a lipopolysaccharide-induced murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line (172), and rat models of arthritis (173).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In hypercholesterolemic rabbits, Moringa oleifera lowered the serum cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, cholesterol to phospholipid ratio, and atherogenic index but increased HDL levels and the HDL ratio (HDL/HDL-total cholesterol) in a manner that was comparable to that of simvastatin (174; 31). In normal rabbits, it decreased HDL levels. Moringa oleifera increased the excretion of fecal cholesterol. In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract decreased high-fat diet-induced increases in serum, liver, and kidney cholesterol levels (14).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In mice, Moringa oleifera extracts protected against chemical carcinogens (41; 175; 176). In vitro, Moringa oleifera extract exhibited cytotoxicity towards tumor cell lines (177).
  • AntiparasiticsAntiparasitics: In vitro, some Moringa stenopetala extracts were active against Trypanosoma brucei (29). Moringa stenopetala seed oil exhibited potent trypanocidal activity (30).
  • AntispasmodicsAntispasmodics: In rats, Moringa oleifera seed extract significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction of isolated duodenum (106). In rats, oral Moringa oleifera root extract inhibited penicillin-induced seizure and markedly reduced locomotor activity (178).
  • Antituberculosis agentsAntituberculosis agents: In rodents, Moringa oleifera pod extract and leaf extract protected against damage induced by antitubercular drugs, such as isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, by altering levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin in the serum and also increasing antioxidants, lipids, and lipid peroxidation levels in the liver (179; 180; 181). There was also a significant increase in the rifampicin plasma concentration and inhibition in rifampicin-induced cytochrome P450 activity.
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: In mice, Moringa oleifera significantly delayed the development of skin lesions, prolonged the mean survival times, and reduced the mortality of herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV-1)-infected mice comparably to those observed with acyclovir (182). In vitro, moringa extracts exhibited activity against HSV-1and poliovirus type 1 (183; 157). In vitro, Moringa oleifera extract inhibited plaque formation of HSV-1, including phosphonoacetate-resistant HSV-1 strains (182).
  • AspirinAspirin: In aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats, Moringa pterygosperma flower buds decreased the ulcer index (184).
  • Carbon tetrachlorideCarbon tetrachloride: In rats, extracts of the stem bark of Moringa pterygosperma protected against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity (143).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: According to a review, constituents of moringa root bark (moringine and moringinine) are cardiac stimulants, increase blood pressure, and, in large doses, depress the sympathetic motor fibers of blood vessels (10). In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extracts reduced chronotropic and inotropic effects on isolated frog heart (13). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (200mg/kg) orally for one month prevented isoproterenol-induced increased heart rate and blood pressure (107). It significantly prevented the rise in lipid peroxidation in myocardial tissue and prevented histopathological and ultrastructural damage.
  • Chelating agentsChelating agents: Moringa oleifera seeds, husks, and pods have been shown to adsorb arsenic, nickel, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, cobalt, chromium, and silver from aqueous solutions (81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 66).
  • Cytochrome P450metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibited 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4 (136). Significant CYP3A4 inhibitory effects were found, with IC50 values of 0.5 and 2.5mg/mL for leaf-methanol and leaf-water extracts, respectively. Root extracts were less active.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In rats, a hot water Moringa oleifera seed infusion exhibited diuretic activity at 1,000mg/kg (106).
  • Fertility agentsFertility agents: In rats, Moringa oleifera extracts prevented implantation, antagonized estrogen, and were abortive (119; 120; 121; 122; 123). In pregnant rats, Moringa oleifera extract prevented deciduoma (124).
  • GalactagoguesGalactagogues: Moringa oleifera leaf has been used traditionally as a galactagogue (36; 37). In randomized controlled trials, Moringa oleifera leaf was shown to increase early postpartum milk production (36; 37). However, since a breastpump was also used in the early postpartum period in these studies, the effect of moringa treatment alone is unclear. In other human study, moringa leaves have been shown to have lactation enhancing effects, specifically, a greater increase in maternal serum prolactin levels (138; 139).
  • Gastrointestinal agents, miscellaneousGastrointestinal agents, miscellaneous: In rodents with induced gastric ulcers, Moringa pterygosperma flower buds as well as Moringa oleifera extracts decreased the ulcer index and showed a healing effect (184; 185; 186; 18; 187).
  • HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: In rodents, Moringa pterygosperma and Moringa oleifera extracts protected against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity; the effects were comparable to those of silymarin (143; 188; 144; 189; 190; 191).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In mice with induced immune inflammation, Moringa oleifera seed extract inhibited spleen weight gain as well as circulatory leukocyte and splenocyte counts (9). The production of the humoral antibody titer was significantly blocked, which was associated with a downregulation of macrophage phagocytosis due to carbon particles. In mice with induced systemic anaphylactic shock, Moringa oleifera seed extract decreased the mast cell-mediated immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction (24).
  • Mosquito repellantsMosquito repellants: Moringa oleifera seed extract exhibited larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (115; 192).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In animals with induced cognitive dysfunction, Moringa oleifera leaves exhibited nootropic activity using a passive shock avoidance paradigm and maze challenges (132; 193). In rats, Moringa oleifera extract (350mg/kg) significantly potentiated pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and increased the alpha-wave activity through 5-hydroxytryptamine and caused inhibition of awareness, touch response, motor activity, righting reflex, and grip strength (194). The flesh of Moringa oleifera has been found to contain the alkaloid spirochin, which may cause nerve paralysis (114).
  • PenicillinPenicillin: In rats, oral Moringa oleifera root extract inhibited penicillin-induced seizure (178).
  • PentobarbitonePentobarbitone: In rats, Moringa oleifera extract (350mg/kg) significantly potentiated pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and increased the alpha-wave activity through 5-hydroxytryptamine and caused inhibition of awareness, touch response, motor activity, righting reflex, and grip strength (194).
  • RadiotherapyRadiotherapy: In mice, Moringa oleifera leaf extract followed by whole body gamma-irradiation significantly reduced the percent of aberrant cells and the number of micronucleated cells (195). Fractionated administration of the extract (30mg/kg for five days) gave a higher protection than the same dose administered as a single treatment.
  • Renal agentsRenal agents: In rats with induced urolithiasis, Moringa oleifera root wood extract significantly reduced elevated urinary oxalate levels (196). In rats with experimentally induced hyperoxaluria, Moringa oleifera root bark extract significantly lowered the urinary excretion and kidney retention levels of oxalate, calcium, and phosphate in a comparable manner to the standard drug, cystone (197). In calculogenic rats, root wood extract significantly lowered the increased deposition of stone-forming constituents in the kidneys (196).
  • RifampinRifampin: In rats, extracts of the stem bark of Moringa pterygosperma protected against rifampin (rifampicin)-induced hepatotoxicity (143).
  • ScopolamineScopolamine: In scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in animals, Moringa oleifera leaves (50 and 100mg/kg) exhibited nootropic activity using a passive shock avoidance paradigm and elevated plus maze (132).
  • TestosteroneTestosterone: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibited 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4 (136).
  • Thyroid hormonesThyroid hormones: In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (175mg/kg of body weight daily for 10 days) regulated thyroid hormone status; serum triiodothyronine concentration and hepatic lipid peroxidation decreased with a concomitant increase in the serum thyroxine concentration in female rats (198). In males, there was a lack of significant changes.
  • Wound-healing agentsWound-healing agents: In rats, extracts from Moringa oleifera leaf, pulp, and seed caused a significant increase in wound closure rate, skin-breaking strength, granuloma-breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, and granuloma dry weight, and a decrease in scar area (199).

    • Moringa/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: In animal studies, Moringa oleifera and Moringa pterygosperma extracts showed analgesic activity (145; 146; 147).
  • Antiarsenic herbs and supplementsAntiarsenic herbs and supplements: In arsenic-treated rodents and in vitro studies, Moringa oleifera seed powder reduced uptake of arsenic and protected against oxidative stress (148; 26; 149). The effect was synergistic with monoisoamyl dimercaptosuccinic acid (150).
  • AntiasthmaticsAntiasthmatics: In animal models of asthma, Moringa oleifera extracts prevented bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation, increased the tidal volume, and decreased respiration rates (19; 151; 152; 153).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In vitro, moringa extracts exhibited antibiotic effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens, and antibiotic-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Legionella species (154; 155; 156; 157; 158; 159; 160; 161; 162; 163). Water purified through Moringa oleifera seeds caused a 90.00-99.99% bacterial reduction within two hours, including heterotrophic bacteria and fecal coliforms (75; 105; 69).
  • Anticataract herbs and supplementsAnticataract herbs and supplements: Moringa's relatively high in vitro bioaccessibility of beta-carotene and lutein may delay the onset of cataracts (45). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevented selenite-induced cataractogenesis (164). It prevented the morphological changes and oxidative damage in the lens.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extract significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and epinephrine (108).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, Moringa oleifera extracts showed antifungal activities against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Basidiobolus haptosporus and B. ranarum, Mucor spp., Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium species (but not Aspergillus fumigatus, Geotrichum candidum, or Candida albicans) (166; 25; 155; 167; 168).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In rodents, Moringa species taken orally have exhibited the ability to significantly reduce carrageenin-induced paw edema (169; 145; 170; 106; 143; 147; 35; 171). Moringa oleifera extracts also inhibited inflammation in a rat six-day air pouch inflammatory model (171), a lipopolysaccharide-induced murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line (172), and rat models of arthritis (173).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In hypercholesterolemic rabbits, Moringa oleifera lowered the serum cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, cholesterol to phospholipid ratio, and atherogenic index but increased HDL levels and the HDL ratio (HDL/HDL-total cholesterol) in a manner that was comparable to that of simvastatin (174; 31). In normal rabbits, it decreased HDL levels. Moringa oleifera increased the excretion of fecal cholesterol. In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract decreased high-fat diet-induced increases in serum, liver, and kidney cholesterol levels (14).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In mice, Moringa oleifera extracts protected against chemical carcinogens (41; 175; 176). In vitro, Moringa oleifera extract exhibited cytotoxicity towards tumor cell lines (177).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf, fruit, stem, and seed extracts exhibited radical-scavenging activity and significantly inhibited the generation of free radicals (195; 31; 200; 2; 201; 202; 203; 204). In vitro, Moringa oleifera extract protected erythrocytes from oxidative stress at similar levels to known antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene) and flavonoids (quercetin) (205).
  • AntiparasiticsAntiparasitics: In vitro, some Moringa stenopetala extracts were active against Trypanosoma brucei (29). Moringa stenopetala seed oil exhibited potent trypanocidal activity (30).
  • AntispasmodicsAntispasmodics: In rats, Moringa oleifera seed extract significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction of isolated duodenum (106). In rats, oral Moringa oleifera root extract inhibited penicillin-induced seizure and markedly reduced locomotor activity (178).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: In mice, Moringa oleifera significantly delayed the development of skin lesions, prolonged the mean survival times and reduced the mortality of HSV-1-infected mice comparably to those observed with acyclovir (182). In vitro, moringa extracts exhibited activity against herpes simplex-1 virus and poliovirus type 1 (183; 157). In vitro, Moringa oleifera extract inhibited plaque formation of HSV-1, including phosphonoacetate-resistant HSV-1 strains (182).
  • CalciumCalcium: In weanling rats, calcium absorption and retention from a milk diet (92 and 78%, respectively) were significantly higher than from Moringa oleifera greens (206). Average calcium absorption and retention from the greens diet were 60%. Oxalates present in Moringa oleifera inhibited intestinal absorption of calcium.
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: According to a review, constituents of moringa root bark (moringine and moringinine) are cardiac stimulants, increase blood pressure, and, in large doses, depress the sympathetic motor fibers of blood vessels (10). In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extracts reduced chronotropic and inotropic effects on isolated frog heart (13). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (200mg/kg) orally for one month prevented isoproterenol-induced increased heart rate and blood pressure (107). It significantly prevented the rise in lipid peroxidation in myocardial tissue and prevented histopathological and ultrastructural damage.
  • Chelating agentsChelating agents: Moringa oleifera seeds, husks, and pods have been shown to adsorb arsenic, nickel, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, cobalt, chromium, and silver from aqueous solutions (81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 66).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplements: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibited 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4 (136). Significant CYP3A4 inhibitory effects were found, with IC50 values of 0.5 and 2.5mg/mL for leaf-methanol and leaf-water extracts, respectively. Root extracts were less active.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In rats, a hot water Moringa oleifera seed infusion exhibited diuretic activity at 1,000mg/kg (106).
  • Fertility agentsFertility agents: In rats, Moringa oleifera extracts prevented implantation, antagonized estrogen, and were abortive (119; 120; 121; 122; 123). In pregnant rats, Moringa oleifera extract prevented deciduoma (124).
  • GalactagoguesGalactagogues: Moringa oleifera leaf has been used traditionally as a galactagogue (36; 37). In randomized controlled trials, Moringa oleifera leaf was shown to increase early postpartum milk production (36; 37). However, since a breastpump was also used in the early postpartum period in these studies, the effect of moringa treatment alone is unclear. In other human study, moringa leaves have been shown to have lactation enhancing effects, specifically, a greater increase in maternal serum prolactin levels (138; 139).
  • Gastrointestinal herbs and supplementsGastrointestinal herbs and supplements: In rodents with induced gastric ulcers, Moringa pterygosperma flower buds as well as Moringa oleifera extracts decreased the ulcer index and showed a healing effect (184; 185; 186; 18; 187).
  • HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: In rodents, Moringa pterygosperma and Moringa oleifera extracts protected against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity; effects were comparable to those of silymarin (143; 188; 144; 189; 190; 191).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In diabetic animals, Moringa oleifera exhibited significant blood glucose-lowering activities (109; 165; 34; 110; 111). In normal rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract also decreased the blood glucose level (34). The effects were greater in diabetic rats than in normal rats (112). In diabetic animals, a significant reduction was found in urine sugar and urine protein levels. However, one study reported that Moringa oleifera increased the blood glucose level 15% in diabetic rats (33).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In rats, constituents from the pods of Moringa oleifera (methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and beta-sitosterol) exhibited hypotensive effects (113).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In mice with induced immune inflammation, Moringa oleifera seed extract inhibited spleen weight gain as well as circulatory leukocyte and splenocyte counts (9). The production of the humoral antibody titer was significantly blocked, which was associated with a downregulation of macrophage phagocytosis due to carbon particles. In mice with induced systemic anaphylactic shock, Moringa oleifera seed extract decreased the mast cell-mediated immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction (24).
  • Mosquito repellantsMosquito repellants: Moringa oleifera seed extract exhibited larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (115; 192).
  • Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In animals with induced cognitive dysfunction, Moringa oleifera leaves exhibited nootropic activity using a passive shock avoidance paradigm and maze challenges (132; 193). In rats, Moringa oleifera extract (350mg/kg) significantly potentiated pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and increased the alpha-wave activity through 5-hydroxytryptamine and caused inhibition of awareness, touch response, motor activity, righting reflex, and grip strength (194). The flesh of Moringa oleifera has been found to contain the alkaloid spirochin, which may cause nerve paralysis (114).
  • ProbioticsProbiotics: In vitro, moringa extracts exhibited antibiotic effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia marcescens, and antibiotic-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Legionella species (154; 155; 156; 157; 158; 159; 160; 161; 162; 163; 75; 105; 69).
  • Renal agentsRenal agents: In rats with induced urolithiasis, Moringa oleifera root wood extract significantly reduced elevated urinary oxalate levels (196). In rats with experimentally induced hyperoxaluria, Moringa oleifera root bark extract significantly lowered the urinary excretion and kidney retention levels of oxalate, calcium, and phosphate in a comparable manner to the standard drug, cystone (197). In calculogenic rats, root wood extract significantly lowered the increased deposition of stone-forming constituents in the kidneys (196).
  • TamarindTamarind: In rabbits, extracts of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp (100mg/kg of body weight) and Moringa oleifera seeds (50mg/kg of body weight) orally once daily for 90 days lowered plasma fluoride concentrations in rabbits receiving fluorinated drinking water (207). There was less hepatic and renal damage in animals receiving plant extracts along with fluorinated water in comparison to receiving fluorinated water alone.
  • Vitamin AVitamin A: In vitamin A-depleted gerbils, small quantities of carotenoid-rich tropical green leafy vegetables, including Moringa oleifera, maintained vitamin A status through efficient bioconversion of beta-carotene to retinol (208). Serum retinol concentrations were unchanged, but total liver vitamin A of the vitamin A and vegetable groups were significantly increased (p<0.0001). In vitamin A-deficient rats, beta-carotene from fresh and dehydrated Moringa oleifera leaves for four weeks was effective in overcoming vitamin A deficiency, although serum vitamin A levels remained somewhat lower compared to a group replete with vitamin A acetate (209). Fresh and dehydrated Moringa oleifera leaves were more effective at improving growth parameters compared to synthetic vitamin A (209).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: High levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) have been found in Moringa oleifera leaves (90.0mg/kg) (210).
  • Wound-healing agentsWound-healing agents: In rats, extracts from Moringa oleifera leaf, pulp, and seed caused a significant increase in wound closure rate, skin-breaking strength, granuloma-breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, and granuloma dry weight, and a decrease in scar area (199).

    • Moringa/Food Interactions:

  • Dietary macronutrientsDietary macronutrients: It has been reported that dietary protein and fat influence the utilization of carotene in Moringa oleifera leaves; additional information is not available (211).
  • OilOil: Using the in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model, Moringa leaves ingested with oil caused a relatively high bioaccessibility of beta-carotene and lutein (45).

    • Moringa/Lab Interactions:

  • AlbuminAlbumin: In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract increased serum albumin by 15.22% (46-53g/L) (14).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In rats, constituents from the pods of Moringa oleifera (methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and beta-sitosterol) exhibited hypotensive effects (113). In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevented isoproterenol-induced increased heart rate and blood pressure (107). According to a review, constituents of moringa root bark (moringine and moringinine) are cardiac stimulants, increase blood pressure, and, in large doses, depress the sympathetic motor fibers of blood vessels (10).
  • Clotting panelClotting panel: In vitro, Moringa oleifera leaf extract significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and epinephrine (108).
  • Cholesterol levelsCholesterol levels: In hypercholesterolemic rabbits, Moringa oleifera lowered the serum cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, cholesterol to phospholipid ratio, and atherogenic index but increased HDL levels and the HDL ratio (HDL/HDL-total cholesterol) in a manner that was comparable to that of simvastatin (174; 31). In normal rabbits, it decreased HDL levels. Moringa oleifera increased the excretion of fecal cholesterol. In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract decreased high-fat diet-induced increases in serum, liver, and kidney cholesterol levels (14).
  • CytokinesCytokines: In animals, Moringa species decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines (173; 19).
  • Glucose levelsGlucose levels: In diabetic animals, Moringa oleifera exhibited significant blood glucose-lowering activities (109; 165; 34; 110; 111). In normal rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract also decreased the blood glucose level (34). The effects were greater in diabetic rats than in normal rats (112). In diabetic animals, a significant reduction was found in urine sugar and urine protein levels. However, one study reported that Moringa oleifera increased the blood glucose level 15% in diabetic rats (33).
  • Hematologic parametersHematologic parameters: In humans that took 3g of finely powdered dried seed kernels twice daily for three weeks, most hematological parameters were not changed, although the majority of patients showed a significant increase in hemoglobin values and reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (129). The hemagglutinin from the seeds of Moringa oleifera agglutinated human as well as rabbit erythrocytes (212).
  • Lung parametersLung parameters: In humans that took 3g finely powdered dried seed kernels twice daily for three weeks, there was a significant improvement in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow rate values (129).
  • Thyroid hormonesThyroid hormones: In rats, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (175mg/kg of body weight daily for 10 days) regulated thyroid hormone status; serum triiodothyronine concentration and hepatic lipid peroxidation decreased with a concomitant increase in the serum thyroxine concentration in female rats (198). In males, there was a lack of significant changes.