Influence of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) enriched ice creams on rats’ brain: Exploring the redox and cholinergic systems

The role of isothiocyanate-rich plants and supplements in neuropsychiatric disorders: a review and update

Neuroinflammation in response to environmental stressors is an important common pathway in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Responses to immune-mediated stress can lead to epigenetic changes and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Isothiocyanates (ITC) have shown promise in combating oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system as well as organ systems. While sulforaphane from broccoli is the most widely studied ITC for biomedical applications, ITC and their precursor glucosinolates are found in many species of cruciferous and other vegetables including moringa. In this review, we examine both clinical and pre-clinical studies of ITC on the amelioration of neuropsychiatric disorders (neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and other) from 2018 to the present, including documentation of protocols for several ongoing clinical studies. During this time, there have been 16 clinical studies (9 randomized controlled trials), most of which reported on the effect of sulforaphane on autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We also review over 80 preclinical studies examining ITC treatment of brain-related dysfunctions and disorders. The evidence to date reveals ITC have great potential for treating these conditions with minimal toxicity. The authors call for well-designed clinical trials to further the translation of these potent phytochemicals into therapeutic practice.

Incorporation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract in Yoghurts to Mitigate Children's Malnutrition in Developing Countries

Moringa oleifera, which is rich in bioactive compounds, has numerous biological activities and is a powerful source of antioxidants and nutrients. Therefore, M. oleifera can be incorporated into food to mitigate children's malnutrition. In this work, the bioactive compounds were extracted from M. oleifera leaf powder by ultrasound-assisted solid-liquid extraction. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and the phenolic composition of the extract were evaluated. The extract presented a total phenolic content of 54.5 ± 16.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and IC50 values of 133.4 ± 12.3 mg/L for DPPH and 60.0 ± 9.9 mg/L for ABTS. Catechin, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin were the main phenolics identified by HPLC-DAD. The obtained extract and M. oleifera leaf powder were incorporated into yoghurts and their physicochemical and biological properties were studied. The incorporation of M. oleifera did not impair the yoghurts' stability over eight weeks when compared to both negative and positive controls. The extract presented higher stability regarding syneresis but lower stability regarding TPC compared to the powder. Also, the fortified yoghurts presented higher antioxidant properties than the negative control. These findings highlight the potential use of M. oleifera powder and extract as natural additives to produce fortified foods that can be used in the mitigation of malnutrition.

Neuroprotective potential of Moringa oleifera mediated by NF-kB/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway: A review

Moringa oleifera is a traditional Indian herb belonging to the Moringaceae family, it is commonly known as the horse-radish tree, drumstick, or sahajna. In developing countries, Moringa is used as feed for both humans and animals due to its well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties owing to its several phytoconstituents including β-carotene, quercetin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenolic acid, rhamnose, glycosylates, glucomoringin, and isothiocyanates. These constituents help to maintain the brain antioxidant enzyme levels, mitochondrial functions, and neurogenesis, showing neuroprotective effects in several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This review discusses various phytoconstituent of moringa and their therapeutic potential in various neurological disorders. Additionally, we also concise the safety and toxicity profile, of different molecular pathways involved in the neuroprotective effect of M. oleifera including M. oleifera nanoparticles for better therapeutic value. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Several clinical and preclinical studies on Moringa oleifera have been conducted, and the outcomes indicate moringa could be used in the treatment of brain disorders. As a result, we conclude that moringa and its nanoformulations could be employed to treat neurological problems. In the future, M. oleifera phytoconstituents could be evaluated against specific signaling pathways, which could aid researchers in discovering their mechanism of action. Furthermore, the use of moringa as a nutraceutical owing to its myriad pharmacological potential will go a long way in boosting the economy of countries that grow moringa on a large scale.