Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3846

Review

Medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera: An overview of promising healer

Fozia Farooq1*, Meenu Rai2, Avinash Tiwari1, Abdul Arif Khan3 and Shaila Farooq4
1School of Studies in Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474001 (MP), India. 2Life Science Department, Vijayaraje Institute of Science and Management, Turari, NH 75, Gwalior (MP), India. 3Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, P. O. Box 2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451,Saudi Arabia. 4School of Studies in Biotechnology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474001 (MP), India.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 03 May 2012
  •  Published: 18 July 2012

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) is a small size tree with approximately 5 to 10 m height. It is cultivated all over the world due to its multiple utilities. Every part of Moringa is used for certain nutritional and/or medicinal propose. Besides being a good source of protein, vitamins, oils, fatty acids, micro-macro minerals elements and various phenolics, it is also reported as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, diuretic, antiurolithiatic, and antihelmintic. Its multiple pharmaceutical effects are capitalized as therapeutic remedy for various diseases in traditional medicinal system. Further research on this charismatic healer may lead to the development of novel agents for various diseases. This study provides a brief overview about medicinal potential of Moringa and its future as a component of modern medicinal system. This study concludes that Moringa needs legitimate appraisal to establish its pharmaceutical knack in modern medicine.

 

Key word: Moringa oleifera, medicinal plant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antiulcer, diuretic.

Abbreviation

MO, Moringa oleiferaGK, Goto-Kakizaki; ISP, isoproterenol.