Search Results (139)

Background/Objectives: Valproic acid (sodium salt form, SVA) is a short-chain fatty acid used to treat epilepsy. Nevertheless, its side effects reach a toxic level during treatments. Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringa) is a traditional plant that provides protection against various diseases due to its antioxidant components. In this study, the protective and ameliorative effect of Moringa on SVA-induced heart damage via in vivo and in silico approach was investigated. Methods: Experimental animals were split into four groups: Control, Moringa extract given group [300 mg.kg⁻¹], SVA given group [500 mg.kg⁻¹] and SVA + Moringa given group [at the same doses and time]. The procedure was carried out for fifteen days, after an overnight fasting, all animals were sacrificed under anesthesia. The heart tissues were taken, homogenized with cold physiological saline, and then centrifuged. Results: In clear supernatants, reduced glutathione, advanced oxidized protein products, total oxidant status, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress index, nitric oxide, glycoproteins levels and glutathione-dependent enzymes, gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase, myeloperoxidase and carbonic anhydrase were increased. Conversely, total antioxidant capacity levels, catalase, superoxide dismutase, xanthine oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium potassium ATPase and alkaline phosphatase activities were decreased after SVA exposure. Treatment with Moringa significantly suppressed SVA-induced heart injury; oxidative stress parameters, total antioxidant capacity levels, the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes, and the activity of the enzymes critical for the cardiac metabolism were improved, while pH and cellular ion balance were regulated. Conclusions: Moringa extract-prevented anomalies and ameliorated biochemical alterations by decreasing oxidative stress. Full article

A novel calcium-chelating peptide, KTFQGPPHG, was identified and screened from Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf protein hydrolysate, and further used to prepare a highly stable peptide–calcium chelate (KTFQGPPHG-Ca). The structure of KTFQGPPHG-Ca was characterized, while assessing its chelation stability and calcium transport potential. It was found that the calcium binding capacity of KTFQGPPHG reached 62.401 µg/mg. After chelation with calcium, KTFQGPPHG transitioned from an amorphous structure to a stable crystalline form. Carboxyl oxygen atoms and amino nitrogen atoms on KTFQGPPHG served as binding sites for Ca²⁺. The KTFQGPPHG-Ca demonstrates excellent phosphate stability and thermal stability. In addition, the calcium transport amount of KTFQGPPHG at 30 min and 60 min was significantly higher than that of the CaCl₂ group (p < 0.05). Particularly, the calcium transport capacity at 30 min was 1.40-fold that of the CaCl₂ group. KTFQGPPHG effectively counteracted the suppressive impact of dietary factors on Ca²⁺ absorption, and likely promoted Ca²⁺ translocation via the TRPV6 calcium channel pathway. The present results offer a theoretical basis for KTFQGPPHG-Ca to serve as a promising calcium source to improve intestinal calcium absorption. Full article

Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds contain lectins that exhibit interesting bioactive properties, but their effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain poorly understood. This work evaluated the effects of the water-soluble lectin from M. oleifera seeds (WSMoL) on metabolic, inflammatory, and histopathological alterations in a mouse model of MetS-like features. Male Swiss mice were fed a high-fat diet plus condensed milk solution for 11 weeks. Animals then received phosphate-buffered saline (negative control), orlistat (40 mg/kg), or WSMoL (1, 2, or 4 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days. A healthy group (Sham) received standard chow. The MetS-like protocol induced obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, visceral adiposity, and systemic inflammation. WSMoL improved metabolic parameters at all doses, reducing visceral fat, attenuating hyperglycemia, and improving the lipid profile. It also decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6) while increasing IL-10 levels. WSMoL prevented hepatic steatosis and renal lipid accumulation, although inflammatory and degenerative tissue changes persisted. The 4 mg/kg dose showed efficacy but was associated with elevated AST and more frequent inflammatory alterations. In conclusion, WSMoL mitigated key features of MetS-like condition, although incomplete tissue recovery and signs of organ stress at the highest dose warrant caution regarding its potential therapeutic use. Full article

The supercritical CO₂ extraction of essential oils from Origanum vulgare L., Matricaria chamomilla L., and Moringa oleifera Lam. was kinetically interpreted using a logistic mass transfer approach under different combinations of pressure and temperature. Extractions were performed in a fixed-bed SFE system operated for 210 min using high-purity CO₂ under pressures ranging from 100 to 500 bar and temperatures between 30 and 60 °C, depending on the vegetable matrix. The logistic model was parameterized through the total extractable mass (m_t), the characteristic time associated with the maximum extraction rate ($t_m$), and the kinetic slope parameter b. The highest extraction yields were obtained at 300 bar and 45 °C for oregano (2.807 g), 100 bar and 40 °C for chamomile (5.006 g), and 500 bar and 60 °C for moringa (5.433 g). Simultaneously, increasing pressure and temperature systematically reduced $t_m$, decreasing from 16.737 to 8.75 min in oregano and from 15.01 to 9.73 min in moringa, indicating an intensification of convective-diffusional transport mechanisms. The model adequately reproduced the experimental extraction curves, particularly in Oregon, where SSD values remained below 0.03 under all evaluated conditions. Unlike highly parameterized phenomenological approaches, the proposed logistic formulation represented the extraction dynamics using kinetically interpretable parameters without requiring parameters that cannot be directly determined from experimental data, such as effective diffusion coefficients or internal mass transfer resistances. The results demonstrate that logistic modeling constitutes a mathematically simplified but kinetically robust alternative for the comparative analysis and preliminary optimization of supercritical extraction systems applied to aromatic and medicinal plant matrices. Full article

The objective of this study was to determine the diversity and genetic structure of M. oleifera populations cultivated in Mexico through SilicoDArT markers. Seeds were collected from 14 populations in various states of the country. The seeds were germinated in greenhouse conditions. DNA was extracted from young leaves using a CTAB-based protocol. The extracted DNA was used to genotype each population with DArtseqTM technology. A total of 11,156 SilicoDArT markers were obtained, all of which were polymorphic. On average, the expected heterozygosity of the populations was 0.46, the number of effective alleles was 1.84 and the rareness was 280.53. Principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis identified three clusters, with no clear association according to cultivation site. Genetic structure analysis determined three original populations (K = 3). Seven populations were assigned to the same ancestral group, six populations exhibited shared ancestries and one population displayed a distinct genetic background, suggesting anthropogenic management and exchange plant material among leaf producers. The identified genetic diversity and population structure constitute a basis for the conservation and management of Mexican moringa germplasm. Full article

This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture under Mediterranean conditions. Experiments were conducted in Sicily, Italy, on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV photogrammetric data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, canopy volume, and vegetation density distribution. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR-derived point clouds to quantify internal canopy structure and vegetation density within the canopy volume. Accuracy was assessed by comparing remote sensing-derived canopy metrics with ground-truth field measurements. LiDAR outperformed UAV photogrammetry in canopy height estimation, achieving lower RMSE values than UAV-derived models (0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m), corresponding to an approximate error reduction of 60–65%. LiDAR also provided more accurate canopy volume estimation, with lower relative errors than UAV photogrammetry (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). The voxel-based LiDAR approach enabled the quantification of vegetation density distribution within the canopy volume, showing higher sensitivity to internal canopy layers compared with UAV photogrammetry, particularly in the structurally complex Ficus macrophylla canopy. UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of the external canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to canopy occlusion and limited penetration into inner canopy layers. Differences between the two methods were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, confirming the strong influence of canopy complexity on sensing performance. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural and voxel-based metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, yield prediction, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems. Full article

Biocoagulants derived from Moringa oleifera Lam seeds are a sustainable alternative for water clarification, but require preparation adapted to the treatment of the dark waters of the Amazon River. This study compared the effectiveness of three coagulant preparation methods from moringa seeds: powder (B1), saline solution (B2), and aqueous solution (B3) in the clarification of samples collected on the shore of Macapá (Amapá—AP), Brazil. The tests were performed using a jar test (fast mixing of 100 rpm for 3 min and slow mixing of 20 rpm for 15 min), with dosages of 20 to 200 mg·L⁻¹, and sedimentation times between 10 and 60 min. The optimized conditions were: 80 mg·L⁻¹/20 min (B1), 40 mg·L⁻¹/30 min (B2), and 40 mg·L⁻¹/40 min (B3). The maximum removals achieved by clarification were as follows: apparent color (92.6%), turbidity (79.4%), chloride (70.9%), ammonia (81.2%), aluminum (99.1%), copper (85.4%), iron (85.8%), and manganese (100.0%). The saline solution was the most efficient. Filtration brought additional improvements to the treated water. It was found that the moringa coagulant was effective in removing contaminants from the waters of the Amazon River, standing out as a green, sustainable, and low-cost technology. However, disinfection would be necessary to improve its microbiological quality. Full article

Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) is a desirable crop for intensive cultivation because of its multiple uses in human and animal nutrition, medicine, and ecological applications. Its resilience and adaptability to various environmental conditions make it an attractive option for farmers seeking alternative cash crops that can thrive in challenging agricultural environments. While its resilience is well documented in tropical and subtropical climates, limited information exists on its growth dynamics and adaptation mechanisms to prolonged cold stress, which constrains its expansion and cultivation in temperate regions. This review synthesises current knowledge on cold stress adaptation mechanisms and the coordinated functional roles of primary and secondary metabolites in response to cold stress in plants, with a focus on moringa. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding morphological adjustments to cold stress in moringa plants, limited attention has been given to elucidating the physiological, metabolic, and genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying its cold-adaptive responses. Moreover, despite the potential roles of primary and secondary metabolites in coordinating protective functions against cold stress in plants, specific metabolites and their functional roles against cold stress remain insufficiently characterised in moringa. While genetic improvement and selective breeding have improved key agronomic traits, including growth rate, biomass yield, and nutritive value, breeding for enhanced cold stress tolerance remains insufficiently explored. Future studies should focus on integrative metabolite profiling, as well as the identification and selection of cold-tolerant provenances, to support the development of cold-tolerant gene pools to expand the cultivation range of moringa into temperate regions. Full article

The objective of this research was to apply morphometric and chemometric techniques to analyze the influence of climate and soil type on the morphological, proximate, and fatty acid fingerprints of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) seeds cultivated in different regions of Mexico. Seeds were collected from the states of Chiapas, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Yucatán. The morphological traits of the seeds were evaluated, while the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of the seed flours were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Data were assessed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear discriminant analysis to develop their fingerprint profiles. The results showed that the morphological variables that constituted the climate-based morphological fingerprint were seed length, width, seed weight, and kernel weight, whereas for the soil type-based fingerprint, only seed length was significant. Regarding the proximate chemical composition, all variables (fat, ash, moisture, and protein), except fiber content, were influenced by both climate and soil type, forming the proximate chemical fingerprint. The fatty acid fingerprint consisted of 21 compounds, with oleic, behenic, stearic, palmitic, and arachidic acids present in the highest concentrations. The fingerprints obtained from the different determinations were confirmed through cross-validation values exceeding 50%, according to the linear discriminant analysis validation technique. The fatty acid and proximate composition determinations showed the highest classification values (83–100%) and contributed most significantly to ensuring the fingerprinting of moringa seeds cultivated in Mexico. Full article

Precision Agriculture (PA) is increasingly applied to nutraceutical cropping systems, where agronomic productivity must be integrated with the stabilization of phytochemical quality and environmental sustainability. This structured narrative review synthesizes scientific evidence (primarily 2010–2025) on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral and thermal sensing, LiDAR-derived canopy characterization, Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics in medicinal, aromatic, and functional crops. The literature indicates that PA enhances high-resolution monitoring of crop–environment interactions, supporting site-specific irrigation, nutrient management, and stress detection. Under validated conditions, these interventions are associated with improved yield stability, resource-use efficiency, and modulation of secondary metabolite accumulation. However, reported outcomes vary substantially across species, agroecological contexts, and experimental scales, and most studies remain plot-scale or pilot-scale, limiting large-scale generalization. Moringa oleifera Lam. is examined as a model species for Mediterranean and semi-arid systems. Evidence suggests that integrated spectral, structural, and environmental monitoring can support optimized irrigation scheduling, canopy uniformity, and phytochemical consistency. Nonetheless, genotype-specific calibration, multi-season validation, standardized metabolomic benchmarking, and cross-regional transferability remain significant research gaps. Overall, PA represents a scientifically promising but still maturing framework for nutraceutical agriculture. Future progress will require rigorous multi-site validation, improved model robustness, standardized sustainability metrics, and comprehensive economic assessments to ensure scalability and long-term impact. Full article

Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is a multipurpose agroforestry tree cultivated worldwide for its nutritional, medicinal, and economic value, and it is increasingly grown commercially in subtropical regions, including Nepal. While vegetative propagation is feasible, large-scale production relies predominantly on seeds, making efficient germination critical for seedling establishment, uniform growth, sustainable production, and preservation of genetic diversity. Seed pre-treatments are widely recognized as a simple and effective approach to enhance germination, early seedling vigor, and nursery performance. This study evaluated the effects of seven pre-sowing treatments under controlled nursery conditions to determine the most effective method for improving Moringa oleifera seedling production. A total of 2100 seeds were used, with 100 seeds per treatment and three replicates, arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatments included control (no pretreatment), normal water soaking (12 h and 24 h), alternating wetting (water) and drying cycles (12 h each), hot water soaking (60 °C for 5 min), cow urine soaking (1:2 of urine to water proportions for 12 h), and hydrochloric acid soaking (35% for 20 min). All pre-treatments were conducted at room temperature, and the seeds were subsequently sown in controlled nursery conditions. Seed germination was monitored twice daily for 30 days, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test to identify significant differences in germination performances. Results demonstrated that alternating wetting and drying produced the highest germination percentage (89%), shortest mean germination time (8.44 days), and strongest seedling vigor, outperforming all other treatments. Conversely, cow urine and acid treatments completely inhibited germination. This study recommends alternating wetting and drying as a simple, low-cost, and chemical-free pre-treatment to optimize Moringa oleifera seedling production in nurseries. These findings provide practical guidance for commercial and smallholder farmers, contributing to sustainable agroforestry, food security, and climate-resilient livelihoods in resource-limited habitats. Full article

Oral diseases pose a major public health challenge, especially in low-income countries where dental care is limited due to high costs. In this context, phytotherapy has gained attention as a complementary approach due to its bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, healing, and analgesic properties. These therapeutic effects are mainly attributed to plant-derived bioactive metabolites, which interact with cellular structures, especially the plasma membrane, to modulate inflammation, stimulate tissue regeneration, and support antimicrobial defense. This review systematically examined the scientific literature to identify Latin American medicinal plants with therapeutic potential in dentistry. Based on their clinical and ethnobotanical applications, the analysis focused on species with anti-inflammatory, healing, analgesic, and relaxing effects, particularly in conditions such as dental pain, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Given the close relationship between pain, inflammation, and periodontal disease, these conditions cannot be studied in isolation. Gingivitis and periodontitis often present with painful symptoms and inflammatory responses that overlap with mechanisms of tissue damage and repair. Therefore, broadening the scope of this review allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how Latin American medicinal plants can contribute not only to pain relief but also to periodontal health, inflammation control, and wound healing. Fifty plant species were identified. Among these, 35 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, 28 had healing properties, 20 showed analgesic effects, and 12 were associated with relaxing properties. Mexico accounted for the highest proportion of species (60%), followed by Colombia and Peru (54%) and then Brazil (32%). These percentages represent the proportion of plant species reported in studies originating from each country, relative to the total number of species identified in the review. The most studied species were Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (Lamiaceae), Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (Asphodelaceae), and Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae). Latin American medicinal plants demonstrate strong potential not only in dental therapy but also in the management of periodontal inflammation and oral diseases. However, further research and clinical validation are needed to ensure their safe integration into conventional treatments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Moringa oleifera Lam. is traditionally used in African and Asian medicine for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. Rich in (poly)phenols, vitamins, and minerals, various parts of the plant were used to manage metabolic disorders. No systematic research critically evaluated its impact on cardiometabolic outcomes assessed through randomized controlled trials (RCTs), thus this study aimed to do so by synthesizing existing evidence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted through 7 April 2025. Eligible RCTs with a minimum duration of two weeks that evaluated moringa supplementation in adults (≥18 years) and reported at least one cardiometabolic outcome, including anthropometric measures, lipid profile, glycemic indices, or blood pressure. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences, risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, while the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE assessment. Results: Nine RCTs (12 study arms) involving 341 participants in the intervention and 308 in the control groups met inclusion criteria. Moringa supplementation showed no significant effects on most considered outcomes. A modest reduction in diastolic blood pressure (SMD: −0.41; 95% CI: −0.75 to −0.07; p = 0.02; I² = 19%) was observed; however, this effect was not robust in sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses suggested potential benefits at doses <10 g/day, in participants <50 years old, and in interventions lasting ≥12 weeks. Nevertheless, risk of bias, substantial heterogeneity (I² frequently >80% for anthropometric and lipid parameters), indirectness, and methodological limitations reduced the overall certainty of evidence to very low for all the evaluated outcomes. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support consistent cardiometabolic benefits of moringa supplementation in adults. Further large-scale, rigorously designed RCTs are warranted to clarify its therapeutic potential and optimal supplementation parameters. Full article

This study assessed the combined application of poultry manure (Pm), biochar (B), and coenzyme A (CoA) into soils to enhance Moringa oleifera Lam. growth, biomass yield, and nutritional and phytochemical composition. This approach allowed us to cover the gap of knowledge on sustainable, low-cost agronomic management alternatives suitable for smallholder systems. To achieve this objective a field experiment was conducted using three treatments (control (no amendment), Pm + B, and Pm + B + CoA) and four consecutive harvests were monitored. Morphological traits (height, stem diameter, number of branches, and leaf yield) were recorded, and phytochemical analyses of glucosinolates and (poly)phenols were performed via HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. Mineral and trace elements were quantified by ICP-OES. The main results retrieved allowed describing the capacity of the combined use of Pm + B + CoA to enhance plant growth and productivity, thus increasing the moringa trees’ height of 226.3 by 39.5%, on average, relative to control plants. ILeaf yield and branch number augmented up to 7.0-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively, under amendment treatments. Petiole girth also increased significantly by >50% (p < 0.01). Phytochemically, Pm + B + CoA significantly elevated total phenolics, vicenin-2, and quercetin acetyl-hexoside in leaves by 2.8-fold, on average, relative to control. The glucosinolate content also augmented as a result of the soil amendments assayed by 51.0%, on average, in stems and petioles, under Pm + B + CoA, compared to control samples. From these results, it can be concluded that the combined use of poultry manure, biochar, and CoA significantly improved M. oleifera growth, biomass yield, and nutritional quality, with a particular efficiency concerning (poly)phenolic accumulation. This low-cost, sustainable amendment strategy provides a viable agronomic solution in regions suffering socioeconomic constraints that hinder access to high-cost agronomic management options. Therefore, this approach effectively links ecological soil management with improved productivity, nutritional value, and potential for food industries. Full article

Moringa oleifera, renowned for its medicinal potency, was investigated to discern the impact of varying storage temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C) and light conditions (dark and light) on the quality attributes of its leaf powder during a 12-month storage period. The study encompassed comprehensive analyses of phytochemical levels, nutritional properties, microbial contamination, and colour changes in response to these diverse storage environments. The lightness L* colour value changed significantly (40 to 60) from baseline tests when stored at 40 °C in transparent packaging. Results highlighted distinct variations in phytochemical composition and nutritional content based on the interplay between temperature and light conditions. Lower temperatures, particularly 4 °C, in both dark and light environments, demonstrated superior preservation of bioactive compounds, with mean values for quercetin-3-rutinoside of 3.34 µg/g and 3.19 µg/g, respectively; both are significantly higher compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). This trend was also observed for rutin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. Conversely, higher temperatures (25 °C, 40 °C) coupled with light exposure hastened degradation, notably impacting phytochemical stability. Microbial proliferation was evident in elevated temperatures, indicating potential safety risks. Further observations unveiled significant colour changes within the leaf powder, notably influenced by storage temperatures and light exposure. Lower temperatures exhibited diminished colour alterations compared to higher temperatures, underscoring their impact on product quality. This study underscores the critical role of controlled storage conditions, especially cooler temperatures and reduced light exposure, in maintaining the potency and quality of M. oleifera leaf powder. Recommendations advocate for stringent temperature control (preferably 4 °C) and light shielding during storage to uphold phytochemical stability and mitigate microbial proliferation. While this study provides valuable insights into temperature-mediated alterations, future research avenues should delve deeper into elucidating the underlying mechanisms of colour changes and long-term temperature effects on phytochemical and nutritional integrity. Full article