Screening Moringa species focused on development of locally available sustainable nutritional supplements

Nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activity of Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oleifera leaves grown in Gaborone, Botswana

Moringa is a multipurpose tree and an important vegetable crop elsewhere. However, it is recently introduced to Botswana and grown in the backyards of households as a shade. Its uses are generally unknown to the community, and it is underutilized despite its huge nutritional and non-food uses. In this study, the nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activity of Moringa stenopetala (MS) and Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves grown in Gaborone Botswana were determined. Except for moisture content, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in proximate composition between MS and MO leaves. The moisture content of MS leaves was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of MO leaves. MS leaves had significantly (p < 0.05) higher Na and K contents than MO leaves. However, MO leaves had significantly (p < 0.05) higher Zn content than MS leaves. The two Moringa leaves had comparable Fe, Ca and Mg contents. The Vitamin C content of MO leaves was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of MS leaves. However, MS leaves had significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenolic, total flavonoid contents (mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity (µg/mL) as compared to MO leaves. The Moringa leaves can be used for development of functional foods with improved nutrition and health benefits.

Graphical Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaf attenuate osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by modulating gut microbiota composition and MAPK signaling pathway

Moringa oleifera leaf (MLP) contains abundant complex nutrients with anti-osteoporosis potential. However, its efficacy and mechanisms against osteoporosis remain unknown. The purpose of this research is to investigate MLP's anti-osteoporotic effects and mechanisms. Animal experiments were used in this work to validate MLP's anti-osteoporotic efficacy. We investigated the mode of action of MLP, analyzed its impact on the gut microbiota, and predicted and validated its anti-osteoporosis-related molecular targets and pathways through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and western blotting. In an ovariectomized osteoporosis rat model, MLP significantly increased bone mineral density and improved bone metabolism-related indicators, bone microstructure, and lipid profile. Moreover, it improved gut microbiota composition and increased the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 protein in the duodenum. Network pharmacology identified a total of 97 active ingredients and 478 core anti-osteoporosis targets. Of these, MAPK1 (also known as ERK2), MAPK3 (also known as ERK1), and MAPK8 (also known as JNK) were successfully docked with the active constituents of MLP. Interestingly, MLP increased ERK and VAV3 protein expression and decreased p-ERK and JNK protein expression in the femur. These findings confirm MLP's anti-osteoporotic efficacy, which could be mediated via regulation of gut microbiota and MAPK signaling.

Review of herbal medicine works in the avian species

Poultry meat consumption is increasing worldwide but the overuse of antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of diseases has increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR), triggering a major public health issue. To restrict AMR emergence, the government supports the optimization of natural products that are safe and easy to obtain with minimal side effects on poultry, humans, and the environment. Various studies have explored the potential of herbs in animal health for their antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and body weight gain properties. Therefore, this study reviewed plants with potential application in avian species by summarizing and discussing the mechanisms and prophylactic/therapeutic potential of these compounds and their plant origin extracts.

Antioxidant activity and calcium bioaccessibility of Moringa oleifera leaf hydrolysate, as a potential calcium supplement in food

Moringa oleifera leaf (ML) is rich in vitamins and minerals, specially abundant calcium, therefore it is widely used as a calcium supplement for food. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and calcium bioaccessibility of M. oleifera leaf hydrolysate (MLH) as a calcium supplement for kimchi. MLH was prepared under three different proteases, two different protease contents, and three different incubation times. Total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were investigated. Cellular activity and calcium bioaccessibility were also investigated. The highest calcium level of MLH was observed in 3% Protamex treatment for 4 h. TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of MLH in Protamex and Alcalase treatments were higher than those in Flavourzyme treatment (p < 0.05). Moreover, high cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity were also observed in C2C12 cells. Kimchi containing MLH showed high calcium accessibility compared to kimchi alone. Taken together, the application of MLH could have potential as a calcium supplement for kimchi production.