A trypsin inhibitor from Moringa oleifera flower extract is cytotoxic to Trypanosoma cruzi with high selectivity over mammalian cells

A Comprehensive Review of Moringa oleifera Bioactive Compounds-Cytotoxicity Evaluation and Their Encapsulation

Moringa oleifera Lam. has gained a lot of attention due to its potential use as a functional food not only for human health but also for animal health. Its bioactive molecules include carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, fatty acids, essential amino acids, and functional peptides. Despite significant efforts to isolate and characterize bioactive metabolites with health functions, few effective metabolites are accessible. The current review aims to describe the main processes for extracting and encapsulating bioactive compounds from Moringa oleifera for potential impact on food science and public health. Researchers have shown that different extraction techniques significantly impact the Moringa polysaccharides' molecular structure and biological activity. Encapsulation has been proposed to reduce oxidative stability and entrap active agents within a carrier material to deliver bioactive molecules into foods. Currently, polysaccharides and proteins, followed by lipids, are used for material encapsulation. Recent techniques include spray drying, cross-linking gelation, freeze-drying, nanoencapsulation, electrospinning, and electrospraying. Moreover, these encapsulations can overlap concerns regarding the Moringa oleifera compounds' cytotoxicity. Future studies should prioritize the effect of new encapsulation materials on Moringa extract and develop new techniques that consider both encapsulation cost and efficiency.

Purification and properties of a novel trypsin inhibitor from ginkgo fruits and its antiproliferative effect in triple-negative breast cancer cells

A novel low molecular mass ginkgo biloba trypsin inhibitor (GBTI) was isolated from ginkgo fruits (GF) by trypsin inhibitory activity-guided fractionation by using ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by ultra-filtration, affinity chromatography and RP-HPLC. The molecular mass and amino acid sequence of GBTI was determined using ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS, respectively. The structure of GBTI was identified as MKNLTVIPPICLKFPN, with a molecular mass of 1826 Da. GBTI was stable in the pH range of 4-8 and in the temperature range of 0-80 °C for 30 min. However, the inhibitory activity of the GBTI reduced when incubated with various metalions (K⁺, Na⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) . Finally, GBTI exhibited significant antiproliferative effect in human MDA-MB-231 and mouse 4 T-1 triple-negative breast cancer cells and without toxicity to MCF-10A normal breast cells. Our results suggest that GBTI could be exploited as a natural and hyperstable anticancer agent for triple-negative breast cancer patients.

Evaluation of the In Vivo Acute Toxicity and In Vitro Hemolytic and Immunomodulatory Activities of the Moringa oleifera Flower Trypsin Inhibitor (MoFTI)

BACKGROUND

Protease inhibitors have been isolated from plants and present several biological activities, including immunomodulatory action.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to evaluate a Moringa oleifera flower trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) for acute toxicity in mice, hemolytic activity on mice erythrocytes and immunomodulatory effects on mice splenocytes.

METHODS

The acute toxicity was evaluated using Swiss female mice that received a single dose of the vehicle control or MoFTI (300 mg/kg, i.p.). Behavioral alterations were observed 15-240 min after administration, and survival, weight gain, and water and food consumption were analyzed daily. Organ weights and hematological parameters were analyzed after 14 days. Hemolytic activity of MoFTI was tested using Swiss female mice erythrocytes. Splenocytes obtained from BALB/c mice were cultured in the absence or presence of MoFTI for the evaluation of cell viability and proliferation. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also determined. Furthermore, the culture supernatants were analyzed for the presence of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO).

RESULTS

MoFTI did not cause death or any adverse effects on the mice except for abdominal contortions at 15-30 min after administration. MoFTI did not exhibit a significant hemolytic effect. In addition, MoFTI did not induce apoptosis or necrosis in splenocytes and had no effect on cell proliferation. Increases in cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS release, as well as Δψm reduction, were observed in MoFTI-treated cells. MoFTI was observed to induce TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and NO release.

CONCLUSION

These results contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the antitumor potential of MoFTI and its effects on other immunological targets.

Moringa oleifera (Lam.): a natural remedy for ageing?

Effect of Moringa oleifera, an age-old ingredient of Indian ayurvedic and traditional medicine, was tested for its effect on age related antioxidant activity in Wistar albino rats of three age groups (6, 12 and 18 months old). Aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves (MOAE) was administered orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight for a period of 30 days. MOAE treatment showed significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin pigmentation along with elevated serotonin and antioxidant enzymes in the brains of treated groups of aged rats. LC-MS-MS analysis revealed blood brain barrier permeable secondary metabolites viz., 9,9-bianthracene, 4-Methoxycinnamic acid, Cinnamic acid, (E)-p-coumaric acid pyrogallol and ostruthin from the extract. 9,9-bianthracene and ostruthin showed better binding affinity to Keap-1 and SERT in silico. The present result suggests the protective efficacy of M oleifera against age related oxidative stress in brain.

Antimicrobial activity of polypyrrole nanoparticles and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera against Staphylococcus spp. carriers of multi-drug efflux system genes isolated from dairy farms

Our objectives were to identify genes of the multi-drug efflux system and to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera against Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dairy farms in Northeast Brazil. Initially, 162 Staphylococcus spp. isolates were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity tests. Of these, 35 presented antimicrobial multi-drug resistance phenotypes. These 35 isolates were then referred for the detection of norA, norB, norC, msrA, mgrA, tet-38, and lmrS genes, all of which feature in multi-drug efflux systems. In the isolates carrying the genes, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPy-NPs and Moringa oleifera aqueous extract were determined. In the molecular analysis of the 35 isolates norA, norC, tet-38, and msrA genes were detected and for the other genes norB, lmrS and mgrA there was no amplification. Antimicrobial activity was verified of PPy-NPs and aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera in Staphylococcus spp. carrying multi-drug efflux system genes. We concluded that there are multi-drug efflux system genes present in the Staphylococcus spp. from the agricultural environment in Northeast Brazil, and that aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and PPy-NPs show bactericidal activity against these isolates.

Antitumor activity of Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) flower trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) in sarcoma 180-bearing mice

The plant Moringa oleifera is used as food and medicine. M. oleifera flowers are source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and are used to treat inflammation and tumors. This work evaluated the antitumor activity of the M. oleifera flower trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) in sarcoma 180-bearing mice. Swiss female mice were inoculated with sarcoma 180 cells. Seven days later, the animals were treated intraperitoneally for 1 week with daily doses of PBS (control) or MoFTI (15 or 30 mg/kg). For toxicity assessment, water and food consumption, body and organ weights, histological alterations, and blood hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. Treatment with MoFTI caused pronounced reduction (90.1%-97.9%) in tumor weight. The tumors of treated animals had a reduced number of secondary vessels and lower gauge of the primary vessels compared to the control. No significant changes were observed in water and food consumption or in body and organ weights. Histopathological analysis did not indicate damage to the liver, kidneys, and spleen. In conclusion, MoFTI showed antitumor potential, with no clear evidence of toxicity.

A Trypsin Inhibitor from Moringa oleifera Flowers Modulates the Immune Response In Vitro of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Human Cells

Trypanosoma cruzi causes the lethal Chagas disease, which is endemic in Latin America. Flowers of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) express a trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) whose toxicity to T. cruzi trypomastigotes was previously reported. Here, we studied the effects of MoFTI on the viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as on the production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) by T. cruzi-infected PBMCs. Incubation with MoFTI (trypsin inhibitory activity: 62 U/mg) led to lysis of trypomastigotes (LC₅₀ of 43.5 µg/mL) but did not affect the viability of PBMCs when tested at concentrations up to 500 µg/mL. A selectivity index > 11.48 was determined. When T. cruzi-infected PBMCs were treated with MoFTI (43.5 or 87.0 µg/mL), the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and INF-γ, as well as of NO, was stimulated. The release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased. In conclusion, the toxicity to T. cruzi and the production of IL-10 by infected PBMCs treated with MoFTI suggest that this molecule may be able to control parasitemia while regulating the inflammation, preventing the progress of Chagas disease. The data reported here stimulate future investigations concerning the in vivo effects of MoFTI on immune response in Chagas disease.

Phytochemicals, nutritional, antioxidant activity, and sensory analyses of Moringa oleifera Lam. collected from mid-hill region of Nepal

This study was aimed to determine the phytochemicals and nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity and sensorial properties of Moringa oleifera extracts. The powders prepared from leaves and pods were mixed separately at the ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 0.25:0.75, 0.5:0.5 and 0.75:0.25 and labelled as mixtures A, B, C, D and E, respectively. Mixture A exhibited highest chlorophylls, tannins, phenolics and flavonoids contents (17.8 mg/g, 9.1 mg GAE/g, 91.1 mg GAE/g and 38.1 mg QE/g, respectively). The crude proteins content was higher (18.03%) in mixture A. The fats, fibres and carbohydrates amounts were higher (2.96%, 11.02% and 67.86%, respectively) in mixture B. The highest energy value (335.62 Kcal/100 g) and the highest antioxidant activity (83.2%) were in mixture A. However, most of the sensory attributes were ranked high for mixture D, signifying to use the equal proportion of leaves and pods powder of M. oleifera for the development of food products.

Activity of natural and synthetic polygodial derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes, trypomastigotes and epimastigotes

Our laboratories have been investigating biological effects of a sesquiterpenoid polygodial and its natural and synthetic analogues. Herein, we report the evaluation of these compounds against the three forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, amastigotes, trypomastigotes and epimastigotes. Although polygodial was found to be poorly active, its natural congener epipolygodial and synthetic Wittig-derived analogues showed low micromolar potency against all three forms of the parasite. Synthetic α,β-unsaturated phosphonate 9 compared favorably with clinically approved drugs benznidazole and nifurtimox, and was effective against trypomastigotes, toward which benznidazole showed no activity.[Formula: see text].

UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS2 analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities

Moringa oleifera leaf acetone extract (MLE) was prepared. Phytochemicals of MLE and their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. Results showed that MLE contained total phenolic content of 20.16 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. A total of 39 compounds were identified by mass spectrometry. The contents of acetyl-glucomoringin, caffeoylquinic acid, feruloylquinic acid, and coumarylquinic acid were high. MLE had high DPPH· and ABTS^•+ scavenging activities and reducing powder. In addition, MLE could effectively inhibit S. aureus and B. subtilis, but little effect on E. coli was found. The anti-inflammatory effect of MLE was evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 cell model. MLE significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. The bioactivities of MLE were related to its phenolic content and phenolic profiles.[Figure: see text].