Abstract
- Background
Cardiometabolic disorders (CMD) represent a rapidly escalating global healthcare emergency and an immense socioeconomic burden. Driven by this urgent clinical need for novel therapeutic agents, plant-based alternative medicines have garnered substantial scientific interest. Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO), a botanical native to various Asian regions, has a long-standing history of traditional use in empirical medicine for treating diverse ailments. This systematic review aimed to evaluate recent investigations concerning the therapeutic efficacy of Moringa oleifera in managing cardiometabolic disorders and to delineate its underlying molecular mechanisms of action.
- Methods
A comprehensive systematic search across three major electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant literature. Data from a total of 108 nonclinical studies and clinical trials evaluating Moringa oleifera in the context of cardiometabolic-related conditions were systematically extracted, synthesized, and analyzed.
- Results
The synthesized evidence indicates that Moringa oleifera—administered either as crude extracts or isolated active compounds—exerts pronounced protective effects against cardiometabolic disorders primarily through robust antioxidative and anti-inflammatory pathways. These actions facilitate the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism while preventing target organ injury. Furthermore, several studies highlight its beneficial role in modulating the gut microbiome by enhancing microbial diversity and suppressing harmful bacterial populations in the caecum. Key molecular mechanisms identified include the suppression of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, upregulation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway, enhancement of total antioxidant capacity via the reduction of protein kinase C zeta ($\text{PKC}\zeta$) activation, and inhibition of NADPH oxidase 4 ($\text{Nox4}$) protein expression, alongside several other proposed regulatory pathways.
- Conclusions
Substantial scientific evidence supports the therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera as an effective botanical adjunct in the prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9006177/