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Moringa oleifera seeds are a promising resource for food and non-food applications, due to their content of monounsaturated fatty acids with a high monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids (MUFA/SFA) ratio, sterols and tocopherols, as well as proteins rich in sulfated amino acids. The rapid growth of Moringa trees in subtropical and tropical areas, even under conditions of prolonged drought, makes this plant a reliable resource to enhance the nutritional status of local populations and, if rationalized cultivation practices are exploited, their economy, given that a biodiesel fuel could be produced from a source not in competition with human food crops. Despite the relatively diffuse use of Moringa seeds and their oil in traditional medicine, no pharmacological activity study has been conducted on humans. Some encouraging evidence, however, justifies new efforts to obtain clear and definitive information on the benefits to human health arising from seed consumption. A critical review of literature data concerning the composition of Moringa oil has set in motion a plan for future investigations. Such investigations, using the seeds and oil, will focus on cultivation conditions to improve plant production, and will study the health effects on human consumers of Moringa seeds and their oil.

In this study we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Moringa oleifera leaves, bark and seed extracts. When tested against MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 cancer cell lines, the extracts of leaves and bark showed remarkable anti-cancer properties while surprisingly, seed extracts exhibited hardly any such properties. Cell survival was significantly low in both cells lines when treated with leaves and bark extracts. Furthermore, a striking reduction (about 70-90%) in colony formation as well as cell motility was observed upon treatment with leaves and bark. Additionally, apoptosis assay performed on these treated breast and colorectal cancer lines showed a remarkable increase in the number of apoptotic cells; with a 7 fold increase in MD-MB-231 to an increase of several fold in colorectal cancer cell lines. However, no significant apoptotic cells were detected upon seeds extract treatment. Moreover, the cell cycle distribution showed a G2/M enrichment (about 2-3 fold) indicating that these extracts effectively arrest the cell progression at the G2/M phase. The GC-MS analyses of these extracts revealed numerous known anti-cancer compounds, namely eugenol, isopropyl isothiocynate, D-allose, and hexadeconoic acid ethyl ester, all of which possess long chain hydrocarbons, sugar moiety and an aromatic ring. This suggests that the anti-cancer properties of Moringa oleifera could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in the extracts from this plant. This is a novel study because no report has yet been cited on the effectiveness of Moringa extracts obtained in the locally grown environment as an anti-cancer agent against breast and colorectal cancers. Our study is the first of its kind to evaluate the anti-malignant properties of Moringa not only in leaves but also in bark. These findings suggest that both the leaf and bark extracts of Moringa collected from the Saudi Arabian region possess anti-cancer activity that can be used to develop new drugs for treatment of breast and colorectal cancers.

Salinity in soil and water is one of the environmental factors that severely hinder the crop growth and production particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of salinity levels (1.5 dS m -1 , 3.5 dS m -1 , 7.5 dS m -1 and 11.5 dS m -1 ) on emergence, growth and biochemical traits of moringa landraces under completely randomized design having three replications. Four landraces of Moringa oleifera (Faisalabad black seeded moringa [MFB], Patoki black seeded moringa [MPB], Faisalabad white seeded moringa [MFW] and Rahim Yar Khan black seeded moringa [MRB]) were selected for experimentation. All the salinity levels significantly affected the emergence parameters (time to emergence start, time to 50% emergence, mean emergence time, emergence index and final emergence percentage) of moringa landraces. However, 1.5 dS m -1 and 3.5 dS m -1 were found more favorable. Higher salinity levels (7.5 dS m -1 and 11.5 dS m -1 ) significantly minimized the root surface area, root projected area, root volume and root density as compared to 1.5 dS m -1 , 3.5 dS m -1 . Number of branches, leaves, leaflets and leaf length were also adversely affected by 7.5 dS m -1 and 11.5 dS m -1 . Maximum seedling fresh and dry weights, and seedling length were recorded at 1.5 dS m -1 followed by 3.5 dS m -1 . Chlorophyll a and b contents, carotenoids and membrane stability index were also observed highest at salinity level of 1.5 dS m -1 . In case of moringa landraces, MRB performed better regarding emergence attributes, growth parameters, and biochemical analysis followed by MFW as compared to MFB and MPB. Moringa landraces i.e. MRB and MFW were found more tolerant to salinity stress as compared to MFB and MPB.

Novel approaches for producing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), which are widely used in biomedicine, biotechnology, and agriculture, are of considerable importance. This study highlights a simple and cost-effective biological method for the synthesis of Ag-NPs using the leaf extract of the hydroponically cultivated Moringa oleifera (MOAg-NPs), alongside the analysis of the biosynthesized NPs. One of the advantages of hydroponic cultivation over traditional soil-based methods is that plants are cleaner since they are not in contact with soil and can be cultivated with fewer chemical inputs. For characterization of the biosynthesized MOAg-NPs various methods have been used, such as UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. UV-Vis analysis revealed a prominent peak at 465 nm, indicating the synthesis of MOAg-NPs. TEM analysis demonstrated a spherical shape of MOAg-NPs with an average diameter of 10.0 ± 6.0 nm. The XRD pattern displayed Ag peaks at 2θ values corresponding to (111), (200), (220) and (311) reflections. The antibacterial efficacy of MOAg-NPs was assessed against Gram-positive ( Enterococcus hirae , Staphylococcus aureus ) and Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli ), revealing their antibacterial potential at low concentrations. The general inhibitory mechanism of MOAg-NPs focuses on the energy-dependent total and N , N’ -dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive H + -fluxes across the bacterial membrane. Moreover, the application of MOAg-NPs resulted in substantial inhibition of HeLa cells growth. Thus, Ag-NPs synthesized using hydroponically grown M. oleifera leaf extract exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells and antibacterial properties, highlighting their potential use in biomedicine.

Crystal violet (Cry) is an essential textile dye belonging to the triphenylmethane group, that is widely used in the textile industry. It is also applied for paper printing and Gram staining. Previously, it was significant as a topical antiseptic due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties. Despite its various applications, crystal violet has been recognized as a biohazard dye due to its toxic and carcinogenic properties. It persists in the environment with long-lasting effects and has detrimental impacts. In this research, water extract from Moringa oleifera leaves is employed as environmentally friendly methods to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (Mo/ZnO-NPs), and characterized by TEM, EDX, FT-IR, and Zeta potential. Mo/ZnO-NPs exhibit a Zeta potential of − 21.9 mV, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms their crystallographic structure. The size of the biogenic Mo/ZnO-NPs ranges from 5.52 to 41.59 nm. This study was designed to estimate and maximize the ability of Mo/ZnO-NPs to remove crystal violet using Central Composite Design (CCD), considering pH (ranging from 3 to 11), incubation time (ranging from 30 to 150), nanoparticles concentrations (ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 mg/mL), and crystal violet concentrations (ranging from 25 to 125 ppm). The maximum percentage value of removal of crystal violet by Mo/ZnO-NPs was 97.26 with optimal conditions of pH 9, incubation time 120 min, Mo/ZnO-NPs 1.4 mg/mL, and crystal violet concentration of 50 ppm. The best-predicted conditions that caused the highest removal of crystal violet (97.8%) were determined using the desirability function as pH 10, incubation time of 140 min, Mo/ZnO-NPs concentrations of 1.3 mg/mL, and a concentration of crystal violet of 80 ppm. Under these optimal conditions, the maximum experimental crystal violet removal% by Mo/ZnO-NPs was (98.7%) was verified. Mo/ZnO-NPs synthesized by Moringa oleifera  can be a promising candidate for the adsorption of crystal violet.

Moringa oleifera is widely grown throughout the tropics and increasingly used for its therapeutic and nutraceutical properties. These properties are attributed to potent antioxidant and metabolism regulators, including glucosinolates/isothiocyanates as well as flavonoids, polyphenols, and phenolic acids. Research to date largely consists of geographically limited studies that only examine material available locally. These practices make it unclear as to whether moringa samples from one area are superior to another, which would require identifying superior variants and distributing them globally. Alternatively, the finding that globally cultivated moringa material is essentially functionally equivalent means that users can easily sample material available locally. We brought together accessions of Moringa oleifera from four continents and nine countries and grew them together in a common garden. We performed a metabolomic analysis of leaf extracts (MOLE) using an LC-MSMS ZenoTOF 7600 mass spectrometry system. The antioxidant capacity of leaf samples evaluated using the Total Antioxidant Capacity assay did not show any significant difference between extracts. MOLE samples were then tested for their antioxidant activity on C2C12 myotubes challenged with an oxidative insult. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added to the myotubes after pretreatment with different extracts. H2O2 exposure caused an increase in cell death that was diminished in all samples pretreated with moringa extracts. Our results show that Moringa oleifera leaf extract is effective in reducing the damaging effect of H2O2 in C2C12 myotubes irrespective of geographical origin. These results are encouraging because they suggest that the use of moringa for its therapeutic benefits can proceed without the need for the lengthy and complex global exchange of materials between regions.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative and protective potentials of Moringea oleifera leaves ethanolic extract (MOLE) against thioacetamide (TAA) toxicity. A total of 58 male albino rats were randomly assigned into six experimental groups. G1, rats received distilled water. G2, rats were injected with a single dose of TAA (200 mg/kg BW) i.p. G3, rats were given MOLE (300 mg/kg BW) orally for 26 days. G4, rats were injected TAA as in G2 and treated with MOLE as G3. G5, rats were kept for 26 days without treatment then on day 27 injected with TAA as in G2. G6, rats were given MOLE for 26 days then on day 27 injected with TAA. Phytochemical analysis of MOLE indicated the presence of kaempferol, kaempferol malonylglucoside, kaempferol hexoside, kaempferol -3- O -glucoside, kaempferol-3- O -acetyl-glucoside, cyanidin -3-O-hexoside, ellagic acid, quercetin, quercetin-3- O -glucoside, and apigenin glucoside. Intoxication of rats with TAA significantly elevated activities of serum AST, ALT, and ALP; concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and hepatic tissue protein expression of caspase 3 and COX2 with alteration of the histological structures of hepatic tissues, while it decreased serum levels of total protein, albumin, and hepatic tissue contents of reduced glutathione. Also, TAA intoxication resulted in 62.5% mortality in rats of G5. Treatment of TAA intoxicated rats (G4) with MOLE ameliorated the toxic effects of TAA on hepatic tissue structure and function. It decreased serum activities of AST, ALT, and ALP; enhanced hepatic GSH concentration; reduced pathological alterations and lipid peroxidation; and downregulated caspase 3 and COX2 proteins expression in hepatic tissue. In addition, MOLE protected rats of G6 from TAA-induced hepatic tissues injury and dysfunction, and increased survival rate of rats. In conclusion, MOLE had both ameliorating and protecting potentials against TAA-induced rats liver damage through regulation of antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and inflammatory biomarkers. Graphical abstract

Plant leaf meal of some forage trees such as Moringa oleifera has attracted an increasing interest as a good and cheap source of protein. The present in vitro experiment employed the in vitro wireless gas production (GP) technique to evaluate the inclusion of M. oleifera leaves ensiled for 45 days as a replacement for soybean meal in rations. A control basal ration was formulated to contain 17.5% soybean meal as a source of protein. Soybean meal in the control ration was replaced with silage (MOS) at increasing levels of 0 to 100%. Replacing soybean meal with MOS gradually increased ( P  < 0.001) GP kinetics (asymptotic GP, rate of GP, and lag time of GP). However, soybean meal replacement decreased ( P  < 0.001) asymptotic methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) productions, and rate of CH 4 production and increased the lag time of CH 4 and CO 2 production. Gradual increases ( P  < 0.001) in the digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, ruminal bacteria count, fermentation pH, and the concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate were observed with rations containing MOS. Decreases in the digestibility of crude protein, ruminal protozoal count, and the concentrations of ruminal ammonia-N were observed with MOS rations. It is concluded soybean meal can be completely replaced by MOS with desirable effects on ruminal fermentation.

Biologically synthesized nanoparticles act as growth stimulants and enhance plant tolerance to stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera as a plant stimulant on the morphological and physiological traits of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress conditions in greenhouse experiments. First, the synthesis of AgNPs and their morphology and particle size distribution were examined using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Then, to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles on geranium growth, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, including three levels of drought stress (30, 60, and 90% field capacity) and four levels of nanoparticle foliar application (0, 10, 20, and 30%) with three replications over six months. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were highly homogeneous and spherical, with an average size ranging from 8 to 12 nanometers. Foliar application at a 10% concentration significantly improved all evaluated parameters and partially mitigated the adverse effects of drought stress. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation belonged to stem diameter (15.27%) and catalase enzyme activity (17.62%). The application of nanoparticles at a 10% concentration significantly increased leaf blade length and width, plant height, flower diameter, petal anthocyanin content, catalase enzyme activity, and chlorophyll content compared to the control. However, regarding stem diameter and flowering time, the highest increase was observed at 20% and 30% nanoparticle concentrations, respectively. Additionally, AgNPs at a 10% concentration increased phosphorus and potassium content in geranium leaves, whereas higher concentrations and drought stress reduced nitrogen and potassium levels. Therefore, foliar application of AgNPs (10%) can reduce the adverse effects of drought stress and serve as a practical, effective, and cost-efficient approach to mitigating stress and improving geranium growth and yield under water-limited conditions.

Heat stress (HS) has detrimental effects on intestinal health by altering digestive and immune responses in animals. Dietary Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) has been implicated in ameliorating the impact of HS, but its effects in terms of intestinal function improvement under HS remain poorly characterized . Therefore, the current study investigated the impact of HS and MOLP supplementation on tight junction barriers, intestinal microbiota (jejunal digesta), and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in jejunal mucosa of heat-stressed rabbits by using the next-generation sequencing techniques. A total of 21 male New Zealand White rabbits (32 weeks old mean body weight of 3318 ± 171 g) were divided into three groups ( n  = 7/group) as control (CON, 25 °C), heat stress (HS, 35 °C for 7 h daily), and HS with MOLP supplementation (HSM, 35 °C for 7 h daily) gavage at 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 weeks. The results indicated that MOLP supplementation increased mRNA expression of tight junction proteins and glutathione transferase activity, while the malonaldehyde concentration was decreased in the jejunal mucosa compared to HS group ( P  < 0.05). Furthermore, MOLP decreased the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and myeloperoxidase compared with HS group ( P  < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that at phyla level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was higher in HSM group compared to CON and HS groups. MOLP supplementation also resulted in higher abundance of putatively health-associated genera such as Christensenellaceae R-7 gut group, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Ruminococcus 2, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Lachnospiraceae unclassified along with higher butyrate levels in HSM group as compared to HS group. The analysis of DEGs revealed that MOLP reversed inflammatory response by downregulation of genes, such as TNFRSF13C , LBP , and COX2 in enriched KEGG pathway of NF-kβ pathway. MOLP supplementation also significantly upregulated the expression of genes in protein digestion and absorption pathway, including PRSS2 , LOC100349163 , CPA1 , CPB1 , SLC9A3 , SLC1A1 , and SLC7A9 in HSM group. Three genes of fibrillar collagens, i.e., COL3A1 , COL5A3 , and COL12A1 in protein digestion were also down-regulated in HSM group. In conclusion , MOLP supplementation could improve jejunal permeability and digestive function, positively modulate microbiota composition and mucosal immunity in heat-stressed rabbits.