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. 2011 Dec 14;2012:519084. doi: 10.1155/2012/519084

Experimental Assessment of Moringa oleifera Leaf and Fruit for Its Antistress, Antioxidant, and Scavenging Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays

Suaib Luqman 1,*, Suchita Srivastava 1, Ritesh Kumar 1, Anil Kumar Maurya 1, Debabrata Chanda 1
PMCID: PMC3247066  PMID: 22216055

Abstract

We have investigated effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and fruit extracts on markers of oxidative stress, its toxicity evaluation, and correlation with antioxidant properties using in vitro and in vitro assays. The aqueous extract of leaf was able to increase the GSH and reduce MDA level in a concentration-dependent manner. The ethanolic extract of fruit showed highest phenolic content, strong reducing power and free radical scavenging capacity. The antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extract of both fruit and leaf was higher in the in vitro assay compared to aqueous extract which showed higher potential in vivo. Safety evaluation studies showed no toxicity of the extracts up to a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Our results support the potent antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera which adds one more positive attribute to its known pharmacological importance.

1. Introduction

Moringa oleifera Lam (syn. M. pterygosperma; commonly known as “The Miracle Tree,” “Horseradish-tree,” or “Ben oil tree”) is the best known and most widely distributed species of Moringaceae family, having an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value throughout the world. Native to Western and sub-Himalayan tracts, India, Pakistan, Asia, and Africa [1, 2], this plant is well distributed in the Philippines, Cambodia, America, and the Caribbean Islands [3]. Organizations such as Trees for Life, Church World Service, and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization have advocated Moringa as “Natural Nutrition for the Tropics” in various parts of the world [4–11]. Almost every part of this highly esteemed tree have long been consumed by humans and used for various domestic purposes as for alley cropping, animal forage, biogas, domestic cleaning agent, blue dye, fertilizer, foliar nutrient, green manure, gum (from tree trunks), honey and sugar cane juice-clarifier (powdered seeds), ornamental plantings, biopesticide, pulp, rope, tannin for tanning hides, water purification, machine lubrication (oil), manufacture of perfume, and hair care products [6].

Besides culinary and other domestic uses, several biological properties ascribed to various parts of this tree have been reviewed in the past [10, 12]. The leaves of M. oleifera have been reported to be a valuable source of both macro- and micronutrients, rich source of β-carotene, protein, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium and act as a good source of natural antioxidants; and thus enhance the shelf-life of fat-containing foods [7, 13]. Fruit (pod)/drum sticks and leaves have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers for enhancing milk production [7, 14] and also regulate thyroid hormone imbalance [15–17].

A number of medicinal properties attributed to different parts of Moringa have been recognized by both Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicines [2]. The plant finds its wide applicability in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases as the roots, leaves, gum, flowers, and infusion of seeds have nitrile, mustard oil glycosides, and thiocarbamate glycosides as their chemical constituents which are suggested to be responsible for the diuretic, cholesterol lowering, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and cardiovascular protective property of the tree [10, 15, 16, 18–28]. The roots have been reported to possess antispasmodic activity through calcium channel blockade which forms the basis for its traditional use in diarrhoea [20, 29]. It also possesses antimicrobial activity due to its principle component pterygospermin. The fresh leaf juice was found to inhibit the growth of human pathogens as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [30–33]. Phytoconstituents from different parts of the tree as niazimicin, niaiminin, various carbamates, and thiocarbamates (Table  1 Supplementry materials available at doi: 10.1155/2012/519048) have shown to exhibit antitumor activity in vitro [34–36]. The flowers show effective hepatoprotective effect due to the presence of quercetin [29–37]. Seeds are used as biosorbent for the removal of cadmium from aqueous medium and are one of the best-known natural coagulants discovered so far [38, 39]. They are also considered to be antipyretic, acrid, and bitter and reported to show antimicrobial activity [40, 41].

Various parts of the plant and their active constituents are known to possess diverse biological activity, however, little is known scientifically about the antioxidant potential of fruit (pod) and leaves of Moringa oleifera. Therefore, the present study investigates, establishes, and explains a comparative analysis of concentration- and dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves and fruit on markers of oxidative stress, its safety profile in mice model, and correlation with antioxidant properties using in vitro and in vivo assays.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemicals

All the chemicals, reagents, and solvents used in the assay protocols were of analytical grade. Ascorbic acid, sodium phosphate, phosphate buffer saline, thiobarbituric acid, ammonium molybdate, ethyldimine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium citrate, DPPH, DMSO, Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium hydroxide tricarboxylic acid, and sodium citrate were obtained from Sigma Aldrich, India. Other chemicals such as gallic acid, TRIS-HCl, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, potassium ferricynide, ferric chloride, tripyridyl-s-triazine (TPTZ), potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, metaphosphoric acid, and 5,5′-Dithiobis 2-nitro benzoic acid (DTNB) were purchased from Himedia, India. The solvents, methanol, ethanol, glacial acetic acid, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, kits for determination of RBC, WBC and haemoglobin, activity kits for alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) were ordered from E-Merck Ltd., India.

2.2. Collection of Plant Material and Preparation of Extract

The leaves and fruit (pod) of Moringa oleifera Lam (syn. M. pterygosperma) were collected from the research farm of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR), Lucknow, India, and the herbarium specimens were deposited in Gyan Surabhi of CIMAP, Lucknow (Voucher Specimen no. 9076). Plant material was authenticated by Drs. A. K. Gupta, S. C. Singh, S. P. Jain, and J. Singh. The leaves and fruit (pod) samples were washed properly and dried at 40°C. The dried samples were extracted with 100% ethanol and distilled water. The extracts were collected at least three times and were filtered through Whatman number 1 filter paper and then concentrated on rotary evaporator (Buchi, Flavil, Switzerland) at 45°C, dried and kept at 4°C till used for the assay. The sample and solvent mass ratio was 1 : 2 during extraction. The extracts were dissolved/solubilised in DMSO and diluted with sterile water to get the final concentration as per requirement.

2.3. Selection of Animals and Dose Administration

In view of potent antioxidant activity of M. oleifera aqueous and ethanolic extracts in in vitro model, acute oral toxicity of the same was carried out in Swiss albino mice for its further development into drug product. Experiment was conducted in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline number 423 (1987).

For the study, 24 mice were taken and divided into six groups comprising male mice in each group weighing between 25 and 30 g. The animals were maintained at 22 ± 5°C with humidity control and also on an automatic dark and light cycle of 12 hours. The animals were fed with the standard rat feed and provided ad libitum drinking water. Mice of group 1 were kept as control and animals of groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were kept as experimental. The animals were acclimatized for 7 days in the experimental environment prior to the actual experimentation. The test extracts were given at 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg body weight to animals of groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Control animals received only vehicle. All the animals were sacrificed on the seventh day after the experimentation.

2.4. Collection of Blood and Serum and Isolation of Packed Erythrocytes

Retino-orbital blood from healthy mice (Mus musculus) was collected for experiments using Heparin (10 units/mL) as the anticoagulant from all the animals on the seventh day after experiment. The collected blood was stored at 4°C and was used for experiments within four hours of collection. The serum samples were stored at −20°C and were used within 2 days of collection [42–44]. The blood samples were centrifuged at 4°C for 10 min at 3000 rpm to remove plasma and buffy coat. The isolated erythrocytes were washed with 0.154 mol/L normal saline (NaCl) thrice for packed erythrocytes.

2.5. In Vitro Experiments

2.5.1. Total Phenolic Estimation

The total phenolic content of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of M. oleifera was estimated in terms of gallic acid equivalence by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent by the method of Singleton and Rossi [45], with slight modification [46]. The Folin-Ciocalteau assay relies on the transfer of electrons in alkaline medium from phenolic compounds to phosphomolybdic/phosphotungstic acid complexes, which are determined spectroscopically at 765 nm. Different concentration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. oliefera extracts (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) was mixed with Folin's reagent (1 : 9 in distilled water) and 7.5% Na2CO3 and incubated at 37°C for 90 min. The absorbance was measured at 765 nm.

2.5.2. Reducing Power Assay

The reducing power of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of M. oleifera was determined by the method of Yen and Chen [47] with slight modification reported previously [46]. Briefly, for in vitro analyses, different concentrations of extract (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) was mixed with 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.6) and 1% K4FeCN6 and incubated for 20 min at 50°C followed by precipitation with 10% TCA. The supernatant was diluted with equal volume of distilled water and ferric reducing capacities of the extracts were checked by adding 0.10% FeCl3. The absorbance was recorded at 700 nm against a reagent blank.

2.5.3. FRAP Assay

The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) measures the antioxidant capacity to reduce the Fe+++/tripyridyl-s-triazine (TPTZ) complex, to the ferrous form [46, 48]. The FRAP reagent was freshly prepared by mixing 10 mM TPTZ with 20 mM ferric chloride in 300 mM acetate buffer, pH 3.6 in the ratio 1 : 1 : 10. Different concentrations (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) of aqueous and ethanolic extract of M. oleifera were added and the decrease in the absorption by the complex was measured after 5 min at 593 nm at room temperature. The activities were calculated by comparing the concentration of each extract with the concentration of Fe++ required to give the same absorbance change using FeSO4 as standard.

2.5.4. DPPH Assay

Radical scavenging activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of M. oleifera was measured by the modified DPPH method [46, 49]. DPPH in ethanol is a stable radical, dark violet in color. Its color is bleached by its reaction with a hydrogen donor. For in vitro analyses, various concentrations of each extracts (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) were added to 100 mM TRIS-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and 100 μM of DPPH. The reaction mixture was incubated for 30 min in the dark at room temperature and measured at 515 nm, against a blank.

2.5.5. Total Antioxidant Capacity Estimation

The total antioxidant capacity of M. oleifera was evaluated by the method described in [50]. The total antioxidant capacity of various concentrations of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of M. oleifera (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) was determined with phosphomolybdenum using ascorbic acid as the standard in 1 mL of TAC reagent (3.3 mL sulphuric acid, 335 mg sodium phosphate, and 78.416 mg ammonium molybdate in 100 mL of distilled water). The sample mixtures were incubated in a boiling water bath at 95°C for 90 min. The absorbance of the samples was measured at 695 nm. The blank solution contained 1.0 mL of reagent solution and the appropriate volume of the same solvent used for the sample.

2.6. In Vivo Experiments

2.6.1. Estimation of Reduced Glutathione Concentration

The reduced glutathione concentration in erythrocytes was estimated using standard method of Beutler [51], as reported previously [44] with slight modification. To 100 μL of packed RBC, 900 μL of phosphate solution was added. Tubes were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min and supernatant was discarded. To 100 μL of RBC (pellet), 100 μL of phosphate solution was added. Out of 200 μL of cell suspension, to 100 μL of it, 900 μL of distilled water was added followed by the addition of 1.5 mL precipitation solution and tubes were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 3 min. To the 50 μL of supernatant, 200 μL phosphate solutions and 25 μL of freshly prepared DTNB were added. This method is based on the ability of the sulfhydryl group to reduce 5,5′-Dithiobis 2-nitro benzoic acid (DTNB) and form a yellow-colored anionic product whose absorbance is measured at 412 nm. Concentration of GSH is expressed as μmol/mL of packed erythrocytes and was determined from a standard plot.

2.6.2. Determination of Malondialdehyde Concentration

Erythrocyte malondialdehyde formed during lipid peroxidation was measured according to the method of Esterbauer and Cheeseman [52], as described earlier [44]. Packed erythrocytes (200 μL) were suspended in 3 mL of PBS-glucose solution (pH 7.4). To 1.0 mL of the suspension, 1.0 mL of 10% TCA was added. Centrifugation was done for 5 min at 5000 rpm. To 1.0 mL of supernatant, 1.0 mL of 0.67% TBA in 0.05 mol/L NaOH was added. Tubes were kept in boiling water bath for 20 min at temperature greater than 90°C and cooled. Absorbance was measured at 532 nm (OD1) and 600 nm (OD2) against a blank. The net optical density (OD) was calculated after subtracting absorbance at OD2 from that of OD1. The concentration of MDA was determined from a standard plot and expressed as nmol/mL of packed erythrocytes.

2.6.3. Total Phenolic Estimation

The serum samples were taken from 6 groups of mice administrated with different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg b/w) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. oliefera, along with a control group and was mixed with Folin's reagent (1 : 9 in distilled water) and 7.5% Na2CO3. Samples were incubated at 37°C for 90 min. The absorbance was measured at 765 nm against the reference blank. The serum samples from mice administered with gallic acid was used as the standard reference (Supplementary material).

2.6.4. Reducing Power Assay

The reducing power of the serum samples of mice administrated with different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg b/w) of aqueous and ethanol extracts of M. oliefera, along with a control were analyzed by mixing serum, with 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.6) and 1% K4FeCN6 and incubated for 20 min at 50°C followed by precipitation with 10% TCA. The supernatant was diluted with equal volume of distilled water and ferric reducing capacities of the extracts were checked by adding 0.10% FeCl3. The absorbance was recorded at 700 nm against a reagent blank.

2.6.5. FRAP Assay

The serum samples of all the six groups of mice were added with FRAP reagent and the decrease in the absorption by the complex was measured after 5 min at 593 nm at room temperature. The activities were calculated by comparing the concentration of each extract with the concentration of Fe++ required to give the same absorbance change using FeSO4 as standard.

2.6.6. DPPH Assay

For in vivo analyses, serums of mice mice administrated with different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg b/w) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. oliefera, were added to 100 mM TRIS-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and 100 μM of DPPH. The reaction mixture was incubated for 30 min in the dark at room temperature and measured at 515 nm, against a reference blank. Serum taken from mice administered with Ascorbic acid and Gallic acid were used as standard.

2.6.7. Total Antioxidant Capacity Estimation

The in vivo analyses were performed by mixing serum samples from mice of different groups in 1 mL of TAC reagent and incubating the sample mixtures in a boiling water bath at 95°C for 90 min. The absorbance of the samples was measured at 695 nm. The serum samples from mice administered with ascorbic acid was used as the standard reference (Supplementary material).

2.7. Observational, Haematological, Biochemical, and Gross Pathological Study

The animals were checked for mortality and any sign of ill health at hourly interval on the day of administration of drug and there after a daily general case side clinical examination was carried out including changes in skin, mucous membrane, eyes, occurrence of secretion and excretion, and also responses like lachrymation, pilo-erection respiratory patterns, and so forth. Also changes in gait, posture, and response to handling were also recorded [53]. In addition to observational study, body weights were recorded and blood and serum samples were collected from all the animals on the seventh day after experiment and were analysed for total RBC, WBC, haemoglobin percentage, and biochemical parameters like ALKP, SGPT and SGOT activity using kits from E-Merck Ltd. in a semi-autoanalyser (RA-50) made by Bayer Co Ltd., Germany [54].

2.8. Statistical Analysis

The data were subjected to two- tailed Student's “t” test with Welch correction and linear regression analysis using Graph Pad InStat 3.06 Version. Values expressed are mean of three replicate determinations ± standard deviation.

3. Result

A concentration- and dose-dependent in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the oxidative stress biomarkers, toxicity markers, and its correlation with the antioxidative properties was studied for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of fruit and leaves. Activity of extracts were tested by performing in vitro and in vivo assays, namely: GSH, MDA, FRAP, DPPH, TPC, RP, TAC, SGPT, SGOT, ALKP, Hb, WBC, RBC, and body weight determination and observations are presented in Figures 1–19.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Concentration-dependent total phenolic estimation of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments in replicates at each concentration and estimated in terms of gallic acid equivalence).

Figure 19.

Figure 19

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on haemoglobin level of mice blood (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

3.1. In Vitro Analysis

3.1.1. Total Phenolic Content

Plant phenolics constitute one of the major groups of compounds acting as primary antioxidants or free radical terminators; it was worth determining their total amount (TPC) in the leaves and fruit extract of M. oleifera. Total phenolic content increased in the concentration-dependent manner having a gallic acid equivalent of 22 ± 2 μg/mL for all the extracts. But there is significant rise in the phenolic content of fruit ethanolic (MFE) extract 53 ± 1.8 μg/mL GAE (Figure 1). A significant pattern (P = 0.0053) was observed both in the in vitro studies and in vivo analysis.

3.1.2. Reducing Power

The extracts showed an increasing trend in reducing power as the concentration rises. The extract MFE (P < 0.0001) has the highest reducing power capacity (Figure 2) among all the four extracts following the trend MFE > MFW ~ MLE > MLW.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Concentration-dependent reducing power of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments in replicates at each concentration).

3.1.3. DPPH

The scavenging activity of the DPPH radical was tested by reduction of the stable radical DPPH to the yellow-colored diphenylpicrylhydrazine. The experimental observations of scavenging effect of M. oleifera extracts with the DPPH radical are depicted in Figure 3. In vitro analysis reveals that fruit extract (MFE~MFW > MLE~MLW) was better scavengers than the leaves (P < 0.001). With an increase in the concentration, the scavenging potential of the extracts increased by combating formation of the DPPH free radical.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Concentration-dependent free radical scavenging (DPPH) activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments in replicates at each concentration).

3.1.4. FRAP

Ferric reducing antioxidant power of the extract of M. oleifera fruit and leaves was expressed as equivalence of ferrous sulphate (μM/L) and our observation depicts that the ferric reducing antioxidant power of the extracts was in the increasing trend with the concentrations (Figure 4). The observations of FRAP analysis also showed a positive correlation with results of the reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging analysis. The ethanolic extract of fruit (MFE; P < 0.0001) showed all the three activities with highest efficiencies followed by the other three extracts (MFW, MLE, and MLW).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Concentration-dependent ferric reducing antioxidant power of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments in replicates at each concentration and expressed in terms of ferrous sulphate equivalence).

3.1.5. Total Antioxidant Capacity

The total antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined in terms of ascorbic acid equivalence, and our result suggests MLE (P < 0.001) exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity (MLE > MFE > MFW > MLW). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts increases with increase in their concentration (Figure 5).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Concentration-dependent total antioxidant capacity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of three independent experiments in replicates at each concentration and determined in terms of ascorbic acid equivalence).

3.2. In Vivo Analysis

The effect on the biomarkers of oxidative stress was studied by evaluating the content of biomarkers GSH and MDA in mice erythrocytes.

3.2.1. Reduced Glutathione and Malondialdehyde Concentration

Figure 6 shows the dose-responsive effect of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Moringa fruit and leaves on GSH content. Maximum enhancement of GSH was observed in mice erythrocytes treated with the aqueous extract of Moringa leaves (MLW). This rise is consistent with the increase in the dose of the extract. In our study, the significant increase of GSH content with the administration of aqueous extract of leaves in dose-dependent manner shows higher antioxidant capacity, compared to fruit extract (two tailed t-test, P = 0.0004). Similarly, the dose-responsive effect on lipid peroxidation was also observed (Figure 7). The basal value of MDA content was maintained in case of the aqueous extract of moringa leaf (MLW), compared to ethanolic extract where a rise in MDA content was recorded. The aqueous fruit extract (MFW) was able to lower down the MDA level significantly (P = 0.0121 for unpaired t-test) at 0.1 mg/kg b/w which again rose to normal level at higher concentrations.

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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Effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on reduced glutathione concentration of mice erythrocytes (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of erythrocytes GSH content from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 7.

Figure 7

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Effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on malondialdehyde content of mice erythrocytes (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of erythrocytes MDA content taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

To assess the correlation with antioxidative properties, total phenolic content, reducing power, ferric reducing, free radical scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity of the extracts were determined in serum samples of mice (Figures 8–12).

Figure 8.

Figure 8

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Dose-dependent total phenolic estimation of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf in mice serum (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose and estimated in terms of gallic acid equivalence).

Figure 12.

Figure 12

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Dose-dependent total antioxidant capacity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf in mice serum (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose and determined in terms of ascorbic acid equivalence).

3.2.2. Total Phenolic Content, Reducing Power, DPPH, FRAP, and Total Antioxidant Capacity

In the in vivo analysis of the extracts, the serum sample of mice administered with extract MFE showed the highest content of total phenolics at the dose of 10 mg/kg b/w congruent to the ethanolic extract of leaves (MLE; Figure 8). Increasing the dose showed no significant changes in the total phenolic content. The in vivo analysis of reducing power for the serum of mice administered with different doses of Moringa oleifera leaves and fruit extracts in dose-dependent manner showed conformity with that of in vitro analysis (MFE > MLE > MFW ~ MLW; Figure 9). Similarly, DPPH scavenging assay showed the same pattern (MFE ~ MFW > MLE ~ MLW) to that of in vitro analysis but the scavenging potential was observed to a dose of 1 mg/kg b/w after which, the effect was almost constant (Figure 10). In dose-dependent studies, the serum from mice groups administered with ethanolic extracts showed more ferric reducing antioxidant power than the serum of mice administered with aqueous extracts. The trend observed was MFE > MLE > MLW > MFW (Figure 11), whereas MLW showed highest antioxidant capacity (Figure 12). A linear correlation between DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP, and polyphenolic content (P < 0.0001) of the extract has been observed.

Figure 9.

Figure 9

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Dose-dependent reducing power estimation of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf in mice serum (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 10.

Figure 10

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Dose-dependent free radical scavenging (DPPH) activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf in mice serum (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; Values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 11.

Figure 11

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Dose-dependent ferric reducing antioxidant power of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf in mice serum (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose and expressed in terms of ferrous sulphate equivalence).

3.2.3. Observational, Haematological, Biochemical, and Gross Pathological Analysis

To study the toxicity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves and fruit, animals were challenged with different doses and their safety profiles were determined by evaluating haematological, biochemical, and pathological parameters. The body weights recorded from all the animals on the seventh day after experiment were within 27 ± 1 g and showed no significant alterations (Figure 13). The biochemical parameters ALKP, SGPT, and SGOT showed nonsignificant changes, even increase in the dose of the extract was well tolerated and nontoxic (Figures 14, 15, and 16). The haematological parameters RBC, WBC, Hb were also analyzed (Figures 17, 18, and 19). Except total RBC count in MLE, no change was observed among the different extracts in the haematological studies. Even the value of RBC count is similar to that of vehicle control studied with same extract.

Figure 13.

Figure 13

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on body weight of mice (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 14.

Figure 14

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on SGOT activity of mice (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 15.

Figure 15

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on SGPT activity of mice (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 16.

Figure 16

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on ALKP activity of mice (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 17.

Figure 17

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on WBC count of mice blood (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

Figure 18.

Figure 18

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Dose-dependent effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf on RBC count of mice blood (MLW: Moringa leaf aqueous extract, MLE: Moringa leaf ethanol extract, MFW: Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract, MFE: Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract; values are mean ± SD of serum taken from replicates of six mice in each group at each dose).

4. Discussion

For hundreds of years, traditional healers have prescribed different parts of M. oleifera for treatment of skin diseases, respiratory illnesses, ear and dental infections, hypertension, diabetes, cancer treatment, and water purification, and they have promoted its use as a nutrient dense food source [6, 10, 12]. Herein, we report a comparative in vitro and in vivo analysis of the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa leaf and fruit on the markers of oxidative stress. Biomarkers of oxidative stress reflect environmental pro-oxidant and antioxidant ratio and also serve as a surrogate measure of a disease process. The protective effects of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Moringa leaf and fruit on erythrocyte GSH and MDA concentration may be attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents (polyphenols, tannins, anthocyanin, glycosides, thiocarbamates) that scavenge free radicals, activate the antioxidant enzymes, and inhibit oxidases [55, 56]. In present study, we studied both concentration- and dose-dependent analysis by estimating GSH and MDA concentration in vitro as well as in vivo.

Glutathione (GSH) acts as an antioxidant both intracellularly and extracellulary, and it is a major nonprotein sulfhydryl compound, with many biological functions, including maintenance of membrane protein-SH groups in the reduced form, the oxidation of which can otherwise cause altered cellular structure and function [57, 58]. Membrane-SH group oxidative damage may be an important molecular mechanism inducing changes in the membrane microelasticity or whole cell deformability of erythrocytes under conditions of physiological and pathological oxidative stress. The aqueous extract of Moringa leaves contains certain nonphenolic, biologically active components such as selenium, thiocarbamates, glucosinolates, its hydrolysis products as glucoraphanin, isothiocyanate sulforaphane, nitriles [22, 23], in addition to the phenolics, which could serve as antioxidants and may effectively scavenge various reactive oxygen species/free radicals under in vivo conditions. The ethanolic extract of the leaves, rich in phenolic components, showed increased GSH content at lower dose, increasing the dose further decreases the GSH content, an effect which may be due to cytotoxicity of high phenolic content. The erythrocyte membrane is prone to lipid peroxidation under oxidative stress that leads to the formation of MDA, a biomarker used for studying the oxidation of lipids under different conditions [59, 60]. Like GSH content, a similar pattern was observed for MDA, aqueous extract of Moringa leaves maintained the normal level of erythrocyte MDA, suggesting that the extract may have a mixture of biomolecules with hydroxyl groups that prevent the abstraction of hydrogen atom from the double bond of lipid bilayer thereby avoiding the damage of lipid membrane. An inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was observed in a dose-dependent manner, but it was not very significant. Our results are concomitant with our previous report for the in vitro analysis of the plant extracts [44], wherein the normal level of malondialdehyde content of the erythrocyte was maintained. But aqueous extract of fruit showed a significant reduction (P = 0.0121 for unpaired t-test), in malondialdehyde content at dose of 0.1 mg/kg b/w. As previously reported [13, 61], the reducing power of bioactive compounds was associated with antioxidant activity. Thus, for the explication of the relationship between antioxidant effect and reducing power of the phenolics, the determination of reducing power was a necessity. We did a comparative analysis for the antioxidant properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa leaf and fruit and assess their capacity to reduce potassium ferricyanide and scavenge free radicals both in vitro and in vivo. The total phenolic content of the Moringa leaf and fruit extracts was determined in terms of gallic acid equivalence. Our observations are in agreement with the previous findings of Siddhuraju and Becker [13], where high content of phenolics in the ethanolic extract of leaves compared to aqueous extract was reported. In addition, our findings on comparative analysis depict higher amount of phenolics in fruit (pod). In vivo analysis with serum showed a significant pattern (P = 0.0053) similar to that of in vitro studies. The reducing power of all the extracts showed a concentration- and dose-dependent increase in absorbance (P < 0.0001); however, when compared, the fruit extract proved to be better in both water and ethanol (P < 0.0001). The aqueous extract appeared to be less effective compared to ethanolic extract. In general, the higher polyphenols extraction yield corresponds with the higher antioxidant activity, probably due to the combined action of the substances in variable concentrations and their high hydrogen atom donating abilities. Our findings are well correlated with the amount of phenolic constituents present in the respective extract. The phenolics present in Moringa fruit extract are able to terminate the radical chain reaction by converting free radicals to more stable products. The FRAP analysis shows aqueous extract of Moringa fruit was the most effective (P < 0.0001). Similarly, a linear correlation between DPPH radical scavenging activity (P < 0.0001) and polyphenolic extract has been reported with variability in concentration and doses for the leaf extract [13].

The total antioxidant capacity was analysed in terms of ascorbic acid and was best observed at a concentration of 10 mg/kg b/w dose in leaf aqueous extract with significant P value of 0.05 which decreases on further increase in the dose. The antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract of fruit showed an increase with increasing dose from 0.01 mg/kg b/w to 100 mg/kg b/w (P < 0.05), which may be attributed to the high content of flavonoids such as kaempferol and other polyphenols [62]. Other compounds that might contribute to total antioxidant capacity are carotenoids and cinnamic acid derivatives [63]. Although total antioxidant capacity measurement does not represent the sum of activities of single antioxidants, it can be of clinical use, because it is an easy and less time consuming procedure.

To evaluate the toxicity of the extracts, doses of various concentrations ranging from 0.01 mg/kg b/w to 100 mg/kg b/w were analysed for toxicity. No mortality or morbidity was observed throughout the experimental period. Nonsignificant changes were observed in absolute weight and similarly no changes were observed in vital organ weight measurement both in absolute and relative terms. Haematological parameters showed nonsignificant changes except in RBC count at administration of ethanolic extract of Moringa leaves, but this was comparable and nonsignificant relative to the control system. Most of the serum biochemical parameters as SGPT, SGOT, and ALKP exhibited nonsignificant changes. The extracts were well tolerated till dose of 100 mg/kg b/w, with no toxicity.

Recently, we have showed concentration-dependent hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of Moringa oleifera fruit and leaf extracts in deoxy ribose degradation assay [64] and our present findings may in part not only suggest the use of Moringa fruit and leaves as a supplementary/dietary antioxidant in nutraceutical and/or cosmoceutical, but also improve the ethnopharmacological knowledge of Moringa plant, which paves the way for use of fruit and leaves as an economically viable source of natural and potent antioxidant.

5. Conclusion

Based on our observations, the ethanolic and aqueous extract of Moringa fruit and leaf significantly maintains the basal levels of GSH and MDA content in a concentration- and dose-dependent manner. The ethanolic extract of fruit showed highest phenolic content along with strong reducing power and free radical scavenging capacity. Safety evaluation studies showed that ethanolic and aqueous extract of both fruit and leaf was well tolerated by experimental animals. A high positive correlation was observed among the in vitro and in vivo assays for antioxidative properties. In addition, our results support the potent antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Moringa which adds one more positive attribute to its known pharmacological properties and hence its use in traditional system of medicine. Further investigations on isolation, characterization, and identification of active phytoconstituents responsible for the protection of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity are warranted for future work.

Supplementary Material

Table 1. The potential therapeutic values of Moringa oleifera against cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases are due to the phytochemicals present in the various parts of the tree. Glucosinolates, carbamates and isothiocyanates are fairly unique group of compounds peculiar to Moringaceae family. Other metabolites include flavonoids, polysaccharide and sterols. The distribution of various phytochemicals varies with the plant part which gives either broad or specific bioactivity.

Table 2. The antioxidant capacity of the Moringa fruit (pod) is due to the presence of higher amount of isothiocyanates and other flavonoids compared to leaf.

Figures. The acute toxicity of ascorbic acid (standard antioxidant) and gallic acid (ubiquitously present in plant as phenolics) was also performed along with Moringa extracts for comparative analysis. Non-significant changes were observed for the body weight, biochemical and haematological parameters. The molecules were well tolerated and non toxic upto a checked dose of 10 mg/kg body weight.

Click here for additional data file. (208.2KB, pdf)

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Director, CIMAP (CSIR), for encouragement and providing necessary facilities. S. Luqman acknowledges the financial support from Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, for the financial support under DST Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientist.

Abbreviations

ALKP:

Alkaline Phosphatase

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

DPPH:

2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl

DTNB:

5, 5′-Dithiobis 2-nitro benzoic acid

FRAP:

Ferric reducing antioxidant power

GAE:

Gallic acid equivalent

AAE:

Ascorbic acid equivalent GSH, glutathione

GSH:

Glutathione

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

MFW:

Moringa fruit (pod) aqueous extract

MFE:

Moringa fruit (pod) ethanol extract

MLW:

Moringa leaf aqueous extract

MLE:

Moringa leaf ethanol extract

RP:

Reducing power

Hb:

Hemoglobin

RBC:

Red blood corpuscles

WBC:

White blood corpuscles

SGPT:

Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase

SGOT:

Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase

TAC:

Total antioxidant capacity

t-BHP:

Tertiary-Butyl hydroperoxide

TBA:

Thiobarbituric acid

TCA:

Trichloroacetic acid

TPC:

Total phenolic content

TPTZ:

Tripyridyl-s-triazine.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Table 1. The potential therapeutic values of Moringa oleifera against cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases are due to the phytochemicals present in the various parts of the tree. Glucosinolates, carbamates and isothiocyanates are fairly unique group of compounds peculiar to Moringaceae family. Other metabolites include flavonoids, polysaccharide and sterols. The distribution of various phytochemicals varies with the plant part which gives either broad or specific bioactivity.

Table 2. The antioxidant capacity of the Moringa fruit (pod) is due to the presence of higher amount of isothiocyanates and other flavonoids compared to leaf.

Figures. The acute toxicity of ascorbic acid (standard antioxidant) and gallic acid (ubiquitously present in plant as phenolics) was also performed along with Moringa extracts for comparative analysis. Non-significant changes were observed for the body weight, biochemical and haematological parameters. The molecules were well tolerated and non toxic upto a checked dose of 10 mg/kg body weight.

Click here for additional data file. (208.2KB, pdf)

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