| Introduction: |
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| Sargava (Moringa oleifera) is a wonderful plant with each part having potential therapeutic properties. It is also widely used in culinary. The Moringa oleifera plant is indigenous to Northwest India and is plentiful on recent alluvial land in or near sandy beds or rivers and streams. The fleshy pods of this mid-sized tropical tree are consumed in several Indian curries. The root bark is used as astringent to the bowels, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, analgesic, biliousness, improves the appetite, and useful in heart complaints. The Drumstick Tree or Horseradish Tree as is known in some places, is well studied for its various pharmacological properties, some which include analgesic, hypoglycaemic, anticonvulscent, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, hypocholesterolemic activities. |
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| Major Chemical Constituents: |
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| Some of the major chemical constituents of Moringa oleifera are alkoloids, oleic acid, stigmasterol, glycoside, amino acids, carotene and ascorbic acid. |
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| Pharmacological Actions |
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Anti-oxidant activity:1,2,3
Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Moringa oleifera was tested in a study. The data obtained from the study suggests that the extracts of Moringa oleifera have potent antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage. In another study, antioxidant action of Moringa oleifera was tested against antitubercular drugs induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Speculation of the study showed that Moringa oleifera extract exerts its protective effects by decreasing liver lipid peroxides and enhancing antioxidants. Another documented review also suggests that Moringa oleifera extract has a potent antioxidant activity. |
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| Herb Drug interactions: |
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| There are no known herb drug interactions. |
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| Safety: |
| No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. |
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| Reference |
| 1 |
S. Sreelatha and P. R. Padma., Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Moringa oleifera Leaves in Two Stages of Maturity. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2009 Nov 11; 64 (4): 301-311. |
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| 2 |
N. Ashok Kumar and L. Pari, Antioxidant Action of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Drumstick) Against Antitubercular Drugs Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Rats. J Med Food 2003; 6 (3): 255–259. |
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| 3 |
Anwar F, Latif S, Ashraf M, Gilani AH. Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses. Phytother Res. 2007 Jan; 21(1): 17-25. |
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