The liver functions as a filter for any circulating toxins in the bloodstream. With fewer functioning liver cells prepared to purify the blood, toxins accumulate in the liver and blood stream (Nicole, 2010). However, Moringa oleifera leaves have nutritional properties that are able to contribute to the protection of the liver against heavy metals and radicals.
Anti-fibrotic effect
Major contributors to the treatment of liver fibrosis discovered to date are natural drugs. Constant effort and studies on this natural drug to treat liver fibrosis are being carried out in search for effective anti-fibrotic agents. It was discovered that the Moringa leaves extract exhibit anti-fibrotic activity on liver fibrosis in rats. The extract was found to decrease acid-pepsin secretion as well as exhibit liver protective properties (Verma, Vijayakumar & Marthela, 2012; Hamza, 2010). In the work by Hamza (2010), treatment with moringa was found to stimulate hepatoprotective effects against hepatocellular injury by blocking the increase of two serums, aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT), which are indicators of liver health conditions.
Anti-inflammatory effect
Moringa has been practically used in medicinal field, throughout the decades to heal a huge amount of acute and chronic conditions. In vitro and in vivo studies with the plant have recommended its effectiveness in treating inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia (Bennett, Mellon and Foidl 2003; Fahey, 2005; Mbikay, 2012). The properties of its phytochemicals, such as flavonols and phenolic acids were related to the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-bacteria activities (Mbikay, 2012).
Anti-microbial effect of Moringa oleifera leaves.
The assorted extracts of moringa’s morphological parts such as seeds, stem, bark, leaves are reported to possess antimicrobial potential (Arora, Onsare and Kumar, 2013). Peixoto, Silva and Costa, (2011) reported that in their study, the aqueous and ethanolic extract of Moringa leaf indicated promising potential as a treatment for certain bacterial infections. The anti-bacteria activity of Moringa oleifera was observed to be greater against gram positive species than gram negative species which was indicated in other studies (Awadh, Julich and Kusnick, 2001).
Anti-hyperglycemic effect
Diabetes patients exhibit a stage of chronic hyperglycemic and glucose tolerance impairment (Tiwari et al., 2002). Moringa oleifera is well known for its pharmalogical actions and is used for the traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus which is a chronic metabolic disorder (Babu et al., 2005). The anti-diabetic effects of some medicinal plant were strengthened by scientific data as herbal remedies for diabetes are recognized in different societies (Grove et al., 2005). Agit et al., (2003) reported that hypoglycemia activity of Moringa oleifera, with significant blood glucose lowering activities has been confirmed. Hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activity of the Moringa oleifera leaves may be probably due to the presence of terpenoids, which appears to be the β-cells and the subsequent secretion of performed insulin (Tende et al., 2011).
References
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