Abstract
- Background
Moringa oleifera Lamk. is a highly valued multipurpose botanical widely recognized for its diverse pharmacological properties, including robust immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects. To assess its clinical translation, this narrative review evaluated published human trials and case reports spanning from 2015 to 2025, aiming to analyze the efficacy, safety profile, and underlying mechanisms of action of M. oleifera. A narrative review methodology was selected for its flexibility, broad scope, and interpretive capability in mapping emerging fields of research.
- Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant clinical studies and documentation published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 22 clinical trials and 9 case reports meeting the predefined eligibility criteria were included. The review specifically focused on five major clinical themes: immunological and nutritional effects, metabolic and endocrine disorders, inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, maternal and child health outcomes, and other diverse clinical applications.
- Results
Evidence synthesized from human studies demonstrated consistent clinical improvements in immune competence, glycemic regulation, and antioxidant status, particularly among vulnerable populations such as individuals with HIV infection, prediabetes, and malnutrition. Furthermore, maternal supplementation with M. oleifera was shown to enhance breastmilk vitamin A content and improve nutritional outcomes in infants. Mechanistically, these therapeutic benefits are closely linked to immunological modulation—including cytokine regulation, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and enhanced antioxidant capacity—as well as metabolic pathways involving the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). While generally well-tolerated, rare instances of hypersensitivity and thrombotic events were documented in case reports.
- Conclusions
Moringa oleifera exhibits strong potential as a safe, accessible functional food, nutraceutical, and adjunct therapeutic candidate for managing immune and metabolic disorders. However, further rigorously designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to definitively confirm its long-term efficacy and safety profiles.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12912182/