Scientific Researches On Moringa

The National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research has started to pay attention to Moringa oleifera. A recent article in the March 2008 issue of NIH Record held a “mystery plant challenge”. They praise the plant and mention "...perhaps like no other single species, this plant has the potential to help reverse multiple major environmental problems and provide for many unmet human needs.www.treeoflife.myzija.com/moringa.html

John Hopkins School of Medicine

Recent report from John Hopkins School of Medicine on Moringa : http://www.tfljournal.org/article.php/20051201124931586

Moringa Promotes:
Normal Liver and Kidney Function
Healthy Digestion
Healthy Circulatory System
Normal Serum Cholesterol
Healthy Cell Structure
Normal Blood Glucose Levels
Healthy Skin
Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Inflammations and arthritis pains reduced
Tumors restricted and ulcers healed
Headaches and Migraines handled
Nourishes Body's Immune System
Nourishes the Eyes and Brain
Increases Energy
sleep Aid

Possible Role of Moringa oleifera Lam. Root in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Chinmoy K. Bose, MD, PhD, ex-postdoctoral fellow; Specialist Medical Officer; Honorary Research Fellow
Chinmoy K. Bose, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK; The Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata; Medical College, College Street, Kolkata, India Author's Email: ckbose@hotmail.com .

Disclosure: Chinmoy K. Bose, MD, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships

Age-specific incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer indicates a hormonal etiology and relates it to menopause, a time during the aging process when ovaries fail but the pituitary becomes overactive to produce a greater amount of gonadotropins. There is a 10-fold to 20-fold increase in the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level and a 3-fold to 5-fold increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH) level in blood in menopause. Naturally, gonadotropins, especially follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and its receptor (FSHR), are implicated as endogenous carcinogens for ovarian cancer.[1,2] Zheng and colleagues[3] demonstrated the presence of FSHR in innocuous postmenopausal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) from where this cancer originates. This was the first study to provide evidence that OSE is hormonally active. These findings points to the need for new therapies to treat epithelial ovarian cancer encompassing natural and synthetic substances that have both anticancer and hormonal properties.


An antitumor promoter from Moringa oleifera Lam.
Guevara A.P. Vargas C. Sakurai H. Fujiwara Y. Hashimoto K. Maoka T. Kozuka M. Ito Y. Tokuda H. Nishino H.
Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 6 April 1999, vol. 440, no. 2, pp. 181-188(8) E lsevier Science (Journal article, isbn: 1383-5718)
Abstract:
In the course of studies on the isolation of bioactive compounds from Philippine plants, the seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. were examined and from the ethanol extract were isolated the new O-ethyl-4-( -l-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl carbamate (1) together with seven known compounds, 4( -l-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate (2), niazimicin (3), niazirin (4), -sitosterol (5), glycerol-1-(9-octadecanoate) (6), 3-O-(6'-O-oleoyl- -d-glucopyranosyl)- -sitosterol (7), and -sitosterol-3-O- -d-glucopyranoside (8). Four of the isolates (2, 3, 7, and 8), which were obtained in relatively good yields, were tested for their potential antitumor promoting activity using an in vitro assay which tested their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus-early antigen (EBV-EA) activation in Raji cells induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). All the tested compounds showed inhibitory activity against EBV-EA activation, with compounds 2, 3 and 8 having shown very significant activities. Based on the in vitro results, niazimicin (3) was further subjected to in vivo test and found to have potent antitumor promoting activity in the two-stage carcinogenesis in mouse skin using 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) as initiator and TPA as tumor promoter. From these results, niazimicin (3) is proposed to be a potent chemo-preventive agent in chemical carcinogenesis.

Hypotensive constituents from the pods of Moringa oleifera
Faizi, Shaneen Siddiqui, B.S. Saleem, R. Aftab, K. Shaneen, F. Gilani, A.
H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
Planta medica. [ Planta med.. ] 1998 , vol. 64 , no 3 , pp. 225 - 228 (Journal article, isbn: 0032-0943)
Abstract:
Hypotensive activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera whole pods and their parts, namely, coat, pulp, and seed was investigated. The activity of the ethanolic extract of both the pods and the seeds was equivalent at the dose of 30 mg kg. The ethyl acetate phase of the ethanolic extract of pods was found to be the most potent fraction at the same dose. Its bioassay-directed fractionation led to the isolation of thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate glycosides which were also the hypotensive principles of the pods as observed in case of Moringa leaves. Two new compounds, O-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(2 -heptenyloxy)]-propyl undecanoate (1) and O-ethyl-4-[( -L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl] carbamate (2) along with the known substances methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (3) and -sitosterol have also been isolated in the present studies. The latter two compounds and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde showed promising hypotensive activity. Structures of all these compounds have been deduced by spectroscopy and chemical reactions.
Keywords: plant composition; pods; cardiovascular system; sterols; phenolic compounds; pharmacology

Studies on some psychopharmalogical actions of Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae) Leaf extract
Pal, M. Mukherjee, P. K. Saha, B. P. Pal, M. Saha, B. P.
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY
PTR. Phytotherapy research.1996 , vol. 10 , no 5 , pp. 402 - 405 (Journal article)
Abstract:
The methanol extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam. was investigated for some psychopharmacological actions in animals. The extract was found to produce a significant alteration in general behavioural pattern by head dip test, Y-maze test, evasion test, and reduction in muscle relaxant activity by rotarod test, chimney test and traction test. Beside these, the extract also potentiated pentobarbitone induced sleeping time and lowered body temperature in experimental animals.



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Support of Moringa

This is a partial list of groups and organizations working to maximize the beneficial properties and commercial use of the Moringa Tree.

* Africa Eco Foundation
* African and Hindustani Centers of Diversity
* African Conservation Foundation
* Africast Foundation
* AGADA - Alternative Action for African Development
* Agricultural Developments South America
* Agriculture Mission Fellowship, Taiwan
* Agroforestry Net, Inc.
* Agrotech Co. Ltd., Sudan
* ALMS - Ark of Life Ministries, Zambia
* ANAMED - Action for Natural Medicine, Germany
* Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
* Apostolic Womens' Movement, Ghana
* Association of Farmers, Educators and Traders, Gambia
* Association pour la Sante Preventive de Rosso, Mauritania
* AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center Works
* BHD - Biotechnology for Human Development
* Binga Foods and Nutritional Committee, Binga District Hospital, Zimbabwe
* Binga Trees Trust Project
* BIOMASA - Honenheim University
* British Overseas Development Agency
* CADEC - Catholic Development Commission
* Canada - Micronutrient Initiatives
* CDE - Centre for Development and Enterprise, South Africa
* CEEM - Christian Ecology and Development Ministry, India
* Center for Cross-Cultural Epidemiologic Studies, Drew University
* Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan
* Christian Family Agric. Ministry, Ghana
* CID - Center for International Development
* Compagnie Commerciale de Mumuri S.A., Burundi
* Companeros en Ministerio/Partners in Ministry, Mexico
* CRDA - Christian Relief and Development Association
* CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, Netherlands, West Indies and Western Samoa
* CWS - Church World Service
* CWS/Crop Walk
* DART - Development Alternatives, Research and Training, Nigeria
* EBCEF - Ethiopian Books for Children and Educational Foundation
* ECHO - Education Concerns for Hunger Organization, Inc.
* Ecological Internet, Inc. - Forests.org
* Environment Africa
* FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
* Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
* Feed the Children, Uganda
* Gambia National Nutrition Agency and Council
* Gambia United National Environment Programme
* German Development Services
* German-Ethiopian Association
* GIANT - Global Initiative for AIDS Nutritional Therapy
* Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species
* GLOW Ministries International, Haiti
* GoodWorks International LLC - UN Ambassador Andrew Young's Foundation
* Government of the Philippines, National Nutrition Council
* Grace In Motion Ministries, Brazil
* Groupe de Recherche et d'Actions pour un Developpement Durable, Benin
* Happy Farmers Maun, Botswana
* Harold Martin Botanic Garden, University of Leicester, England
* Heifer International Foundation - Global Food Crisis Fund
* HIMCON - Himalayan Consortium for Himalayan Conversation
* IDEE-Casamance, NGO, Senegal
* India National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research
* INERA - Institut de l'Environnement et des Recherches Agricoles
* International Eye Foundation
* International Moringa Network
* International Trypanotolerance Centre
* Japan Moringa Association
* Kenya Forestry Research Institute
* KMTC Agricultural Training Centre
* Kyoto City, Japan - Water Purification Project
* Lutheran World Federation, Dept. for World Service, Mauritania
* Mahasarakham University, Thailand
* Medecins Aux Pieds Nus
* Mercy Ships
* Ministry of the Atmosphere and Natural Resources
* Missouri Botanical Gardens, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
* Mlup Baitong, NGO, Cambodia
* Moringa Energie Developpement SA, Senegal
* Moringa Garden Circle
* Moringa Research Agency, Kenya
* NANA - National Nutrition Agency
* National Agricultural Research Center, Saudi, Arabia
* National Council of Churches USA
* National Geographic Society
* National Science Foundation
* New GENESIS, Haiti
* New York Botanical Garden, Botanical Science Research and Training
* Office International de l'Eau, France
* One Spirit, USA
* Optima of Africa
* Peace Corps
* Permacultora Dominicana, Dominican Republic
* Phytotrade Africa
* Prek Leap National School of Agriculture, Cambodia
* Presbyterian Church of the Sudan
* PROPAGE - Association pour la Promotion des Ressources Vegetales des Regions arides et Semi Arides, France
* Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources - Forestry and Range Dept., Kuwait
* Purdue University, Center for New Crops & Plants Products
* Rotary Club
* RUAF - Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture & Forestry
* Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, England
* Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
* Rural Women's Movement, South Africa
* Sehgal Foundation, India
* Shakuntala Bidyadhar Trust
* Silva Forest Foundation
* Stoneleigh, Shroshire, England
* The Berkeley Reafforestation Trust
* The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning International
* Togo Nature Environment
* Tokyo University of Agriculture, Department of Nutritional Science, Japan
* Trees for Africa
* Trees for Life Moringa Project
* TULUM Ltd.
* UNICEF
* United Methodist Committee on Relief
* United Nations World Food Program
* UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Social, and Cultural Organization
* Universidade de Fortaleza, Brazil
* Universite Abdou Moumouni, Niger
* Universite Cadi Ayad-faculte des Sciences Semlalia, Maroc
* Universite Cheikh Anta diop de Dakar, Senegal Laboratory of Nutritional Physiological Chemistry
* Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
* University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
* University of Botswana
* University of Dschang, FASA, Cameroon
* University of Ghana, Biochemistry Department
* University of Hawaii - CTAHR
* University of Kansas School of Medicine
* University of Leicester, England
* University of Stellenbosch, Dpt of Physiological Studies, South Africa
* University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands
* University of Wageningen, Division of Human Nutrition
* U. S. Agency for International Development
* U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service - NFTA
* Wangari Maathai Foundation
* WECADI - Wakiso Environment Conservation and Development Initiative, Uganda
* WAECHE -Williams Adedayo Enter Community Health Evangelism, Nigeria
* West Indies Self Help WISH Mission, Haiti
* World Vision
* World Water Forum
* Zimbabwe Forestry Commission
* Zimbabwe Rural District Council

USES OF MORINGA

Ancient World Knowledge About Moringa And Use

These tiny little leaves have the potential to save the lives of millions of people on our planet.

They Diversely Use As:

Nutrition, Condiment, Cooking Oil, Disease Prevention, Fungicide, Lubricants

Ointment, Tanning Leather, Dye, Fiber Products, Cane Juice Clarifier, Honey Production

Alley Cropping, Insecticide, Ornamentation & Shade, Wind Barrier, Honey Clarifier

Fences, Food, Fertilizer, Erosion Control, Water Purification, Cosmetics, Textile Printing

As Traditional medicine To Treat:

Anemia, Anxiety, Blood impurities, Asthma, Blackheads, Blood pressure, Bronchitis, Catarrh

Chest congestion, Cholera, Colitis, Conjunctivitis, Cough, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Dropsy

Dysentery, Eye and ear infections, Fever, Glandular swelling, Gonorrhea, Headaches,HIV

Hysteria, Wounds, Urinary disorders, Tumor, Tuberculosis, Stomach ulcers, Sprain, Sores

Intestinal worms, Sore throat, Skin infections, Semen deficiency, Scurvy, Respiratory disorders

Jaundice, Psoriasis, Pregnancy, Pimples, Pain in joints, Lactation, Malaria

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges

4times the Calcium of Milk

3times the Potassium of Bananas

2times the Protein of Yogurt

4times the Vitamin A of Carrots

Advance Research On Nutritional Value

"Moringa is an extraordinary plant. It's a plant that has
all the nutrients that could be found in a perfect food."
-Monica Marcu, Ph.D.

Culinary Uses Of The Leaves

Research has shown the moringa tree to be of exceptional nutritional value. The leaves are 38% protein with the 8 essential amino acids, which will be of interest to vegetarians, or people who wish to cut back on meat and dairy products. Amino acids in leaves, indicated in milligrams per 100 grams have been recorded as: isoleucine 385, leucine 688, lysine 476, methionine 164, cystine 148, phenylalamine 483, threonine 368, valine 491, arganine 491, histidine 181.

Amino acids in green leaf vegetables vary considerably, and many that are staples, are low in the sulphur bearing amino acids methionine and cystine, whereas in the moringa tree it is an extremely rich source in comparison to other greens and vegetables. The moringa tree is listed as the highest protein ratio of any plant on earth. The calcium content is very high at 297mg per 100g of leaves.

Leaves can be eaten fresh in hand, steamed, pickled, added to salads, stir-fries, curries, and soups. Flavour of the pods are similar to peas with a mild mustard taste. Sliced, young green pods can be used in savory and meat dishes. Seeds can be fried or roasted and taste like peanuts. When seeds are abundant they can be sprouted like wheat grass, eaten as tender nutritious greens.

Culinary Uses Of The Roots, Seed and Flower

Roots of young seedlings taste similar to the herb horseradish, and are often grated and used as a substitute. Oil of Ben, a by-product of the seed, is an inodorous fine grade oil used in salads, cooking, perfumery, lubricating watches and fine machinery. The oil does not go rancid. Flowers can be eaten or used as a garnish, and look most decorative in salads. Value the tree for its high nutritional value and as a survival food.

Medicinal Uses

A folk remedy for stomach complaints, catarrh, cancer, gastric ulcers, skin diseases, lowering blood sugar, increasing bone density, nervous conditions, diabetes, fatigue, increase lactation, hay fever, impotence, edema, cramps, hemorrhoids, headaches, sore gums; to strengthen the eyes and the brain, liver, gall, digestive, respiratory and immune system, and as a blood cleanser and blood builder. A traditional folk remedy was to use the leaves as a poultice on the abdomen to expel intestinal worms. An infusion of leaves is used as an eye wash for treating conjunctivitis. Oil from the seed, called Oil of Ben, is used for earache and in ointments for skin conditions. The oil rubbed on the skin is said to prevent mosquitoes from biting. Flowers infused in honey are used as a cough remedy Flowers infused in honey are used as a cough remedy.

ABOUT MORINGA

What is Moringa ?

Moringa is a tropical tree with multiple uses and which is resistant to drought. Among the 13 species known, Moringa oleifera is particularly easy to reproduce and its growth is very fast. The numerous economic uses of Moringa oleifera together with its easy propagation have raised growing international interest for this tree which originated from India and which is found in most tropical countries (Africa, Asia and America). Moringa stenopetala and other species from Eastern Africa and Madagascar also have potential even though they have been less exploited so far.

Moringa is an important food source in many countries. In India, Moringa pods are widely consumed and plantations exist to produce pods for export, fresh and tinned, to overseas consumers. In West Africa, Moringa oleifera leaves are commonly used to make sauces. Moringa stenopetala leaves are the staple food of the Konso people in Ethiopia. Studies have shown Moringa oleifera leaves to be an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and protein: perhaps more than any other tropical vegetable. Many programs use Moringa leaves to fight against malnutrition and its associated diseases (blindness etc.).

Moringa seeds contain a cationic polyelectrolyte that has proved efficient in water treatment, as a substitute to aluminium sulphate and other flocculent. There is a dual advantage to this property:
1) it can be used as a locally-produced substitute for imported flocculent, thus reducing expenditure of foreign currency reserves by third world countries;
2) Moringa flocculent, unlike aluminium sulphate, is completely biodegradable. This aspect may be particularly interesting to developed countries.

Oil extracted from the seeds is an excellent edible vegetable oil and is also useful within the cosmetics industry. A dual usage of Moringa, as a source of oil and flocculent, is possible, since the seed cake remaining after oil extraction retains the flocculating properties.

Other applications of Moringa including use as livestock feed, plant growth hormone, green manure, and medicine are currently the subject of various research efforts.