Moringa Oleifera in Malnutrition: A Comprehensive Review

Harnessing carboxymethyl cellulose and Moringa oleifera seed husks for sustainable treatment of a multi-metal real waste

This study aimed to evaluate effective treatment strategies for laboratory waste with an initial pH of 1.0, containing Cr6+, Mn2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Sr2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+ ions, focusing on flocculation, precipitation, and adsorption techniques. The study utilized microparticles derived from Moringa oleifera seed husks (MS), cryogels of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hybrid cryogels combining CMC and MS (CMC-MS25 and CMC-MS50) as adsorbents. The optimal strategy involved raising the pH to 7 using NH4OH, leading to the partial precipitation of metal ions. The remaining supernatant was then passed through columns packed with the aforementioned adsorbents. Utilizing CMC-MS25 and CMC-MS50 adsorbents resulted in the simultaneous removal of over 90% of the targeted metal ions. The adsorption of Cu2+ ions onto the adsorbents was facilitated by electrostatic interactions between Cu2+ ions and carboxylate groups, as well as Cu-OH chelation, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions, the fixed-bed column adsorption capacity was determined as 88.2 mg g-1. The CMC-MS25 adsorbents proved reusable at least 5 times, with the recovered Cu2+ ions potentially suitable for other processes. The scalability and feasibility of producing these novel adsorbents suggest a promising, cost-effective solution for treating complex matrices and recovering high-value metals, as copper.

Moringa oleifera leaves ethanolic extract counteracts cortical neurodegeneration induced by aluminum chloride in rats

Background

Aluminum, a well-recognized neurotoxin, is implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), known as a miracle tree, is utilized as a functional food and nutritional supplement. This study investigates the potential preventive effects of M. oleifera extract on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced cortical neurodegeneration in rats.

Materials and methods

Therefore, 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four distinct groups: negative control, M. oleifera extract (MOE), AlCl3, and AlCl3 + MOE. Treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Cognitive performance, brain oxidative/nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptotic-cell death, and associated histopathological alterations were assessed.

Results

Our results showed that MOE improved spatial learning and memory, enhanced antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, antagonized nitrosative stress, reduced inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6), decreased caspase-3, increased Bcl-2, and facilitated repair of cortical and hippocampal structures.

Conclusions

We concluded that MOE exhibits protective effects against cortical neurodegeneration, making it a promising supplement to counteract aluminum-induced neurotoxic effects.

The Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Anemia and other Variables during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Narrative Review

Moringa is a plant commonly used for its medical properties. However, studies have shown contradictory results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible association between the use of Moringa during pregnancy and breastfeeding in relation to the health status of both the mother and the baby. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on the literature published during the period 2018-2023 was conducted up until March 2023. The population/exposure/comparison/outcome (PECO) approach was used to select studies on pregnant women, mother-child pairs, and the use of Moringa. Out of the 85 studies initially identified, 67 were excluded, leaving 18 for full-text evaluation. After assessment, 12 were finally included in the review. In the articles included in this work, Moringa is administered during pregnancy or in the postnatal period in the form of leaf powder (MOLP), as a leaf extract (MLE), as an ingredient associated with other supplements or in preparations. It appears to influence several variables during pregnancy and in the postnatal period such as the mother's haematochemical profile, milk production, the child's socio-personal development and the incidence of morbidity during the first 6 months of life. None of the studies analysed reported contraindications to the use of the supplement during pregnancy and lactation.