Moringa pterydosperma (Moringa): A Wonder Tree with Enriched Medicinal Value (Review Article)

Author(s): Shailja Choudhary, Gitika Chaudhary and Hemlata Kaurav*

Abstract: Moringa oleifera is also known as the miracle tree, drumstick tree or horseradish tree is a plant of great medicinal significance and is associated with nutritional value too. From ancient times, the M. oleifera plant is used for medicinal purposes to treat various diseases. Different parts of the plant are associated with various chemical constituents such as phenolic acids, tocopherols, carotenoids, and flavonoids. These chemical constituents of the plant show various therapeutic and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other properties. The plant extracts are mainly beneficial in malnutrition, lactating mothers, general weakness, menopause, osteoporosis, and depression. In the traditional medicinal system such as Ayurveda, folklore, Unani and Siddha, M. oleifera plant alone or in combination with other herbal plants are used in various herbal formulations to treat cough, fever, skin disorders, respiratory disorders like asthma, ulcers, eyes disorders and other diseases. The seed oil of the plant is used in various cosmetics (skin and hair care products), food industry (used in bread, yogurt, cheese, etc.), pharmaceutical industries as a fertilizer and in the preparation of biodiesel fuel. Also, the leaves of the plant are used as livestock fodder. In this review article, the traditional usage of the plant such as ayurvedic and folk uses, and the pharmacological properties of the plant are briefly described.

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