EFSA Compendium of Botanicals

Draft - work in progress

Moringa (as plant) // Moringa oleifera Lam. // Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn.

Family:: Moringaceae
Approval state:: Approved
Number of articles retrieved:: 8084
Number of processed references:: 8

Compositions

#1: Glucotropaeolin in seeds #2: p-hydroxybenzyl cyanide in oily fraction of seed extract #3: Glucomoringin isothiocyanate in seeds #4: Alkaloids in seeds #5: Cardiac glycosides in seeds #6: Saponins in seeds #7: Tannins in seeds #8: 4-(4'-0-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamonsyloxy) benzylisothioyanate in leaves #9: Glucosinolates in leaves #10: Cyanogenic glycosides in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves) #11: Alkaloids in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves) #12: Saponins in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves) #13: Oxalates in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves) #14: Erucic acid in essential oil of seeds

Endpoint Studies

#1: Reproductive/antifertility effects in rats #2: Decreased body weight in rats after subchronic exposure #3: Acute toxicity: respiratory and neurologic effects in rats #4: Mortality (LD50) in rats #5: Liver damage (serum biochemical markers) in rats after subchronic exposure

Genotoxicity

#1: Seed extract mutagenic in Ames assay

Composition #1: Atolani, O., Olorundare, O.E., Banerjee, P., Osin, O.A., Preissner, R., Njan, A.A. Isolation, characterisation and in silico toxicity evaluations of thiocarbamates, isothiocyanates, nitrile, glucosinolate and lipids from moringa oleifera lam. Seed. journal of the turkish chemical society, section a: chemistry, 2020, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 235–244. DOI: 10.18596/jotcsa.569960. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

ethanol
Substance:

glucotropaeolin (RF-00010868-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (F061A)
Analytical method - additional description:

ESI-MS, FT-IR
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Glucotropaeolin in seeds

Composition #2: Atolani, O., Olorundare, O.E., Banerjee, P., Osin, O.A., Preissner, R., Njan, A.A. Isolation, characterisation and in silico toxicity evaluations of thiocarbamates, isothiocyanates, nitrile, glucosinolate and lipids from moringa oleifera lam. Seed. journal of the turkish chemical society, section a: chemistry, 2020, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 235–244. DOI: 10.18596/jotcsa.569960. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

ethanol, major oily fraction
Substance:

Cyanide (RF-00000021-CHE)
Additional substance description:

p-hydroxybenzyl cyanide
Analytical method code:

GC-FID-MS (F607A)
Result unit:

Percent (G138A)
Result expression:

Fat weight (B003A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

4.16
Internal remarks:

p-hydroxybenzyl cyanide in oily fraction of seed extract

Composition #3: Atolani, O., Olorundare, O.E., Banerjee, P., Osin, O.A., Preissner, R., Njan, A.A. Isolation, characterisation and in silico toxicity evaluations of thiocarbamates, isothiocyanates, nitrile, glucosinolate and lipids from moringa oleifera lam. Seed. journal of the turkish chemical society, section a: chemistry, 2020, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 235–244. DOI: 10.18596/jotcsa.569960. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

ethanol
Substance:

Isothiocyanates (RF-00010827-PAR)
Additional substance description:

glucomoringin isothiocyanate
Analytical method code:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (F061A)
Analytical method - additional description:

ESI-MS, FT-IR
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Glucomoringin isothiocyanate in seeds

Composition #4: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

Alkaloids (RF-00004360-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Analytical method - additional description:

FeCl3, Pews
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Alkaloids in seeds

Composition #5: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

cardiac glycosides (RF-00010823-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Analytical method - additional description:

Killer-killanis
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Cardiac glycosides in seeds

Composition #6: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

Saponins (RF-00004333-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Analytical method - additional description:

Frothing
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Saponins in seeds

Composition #7: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

Tannins (RF-00004337-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Phytochemical screening (F604A)
Analytical method - additional description:

Draggendorff's, Meyer's
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Tannins in seeds

Composition #8: Murakami, A., Kitazono, Y., Jiwajinda, S., Koshimizu, K., Ohigashi, H. Niaziminin, a thiocarbamate from the leaves of Moringa oleifera, holds a strict structural requirement for inhibition of tumor-promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation. planta medica, 1998, vol. 64, no. 4, p. 319–323. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957442. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Leaves (as part-nature) (A0EKT)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (RF-00011468-PAR)
Additional substance description:

4-(4'-0-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamonsyloxy) benzylisothioyanate
Analytical method code:

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)/Liquid Chromatography (LC) (F018A)
Result unit:

Milligram (G155A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

80
Internal remarks:

4-(4'-0-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamonsyloxy) benzylisothioyanate in leaves

Composition #9: Foerster, Nadja., Mewis, Inga., Glatt, Hansruedi., Haack, Michael., Brigelius-Flohe, Regina., Schreiner, Monika., Ulrichs, Christian. Characteristic single glucosinolates from Moringa oleifera: Induction of detoxifying enzymes and lack of genotoxic activity in various model systems. food & function, 2016, vol. 7, no. 11, p. 4660–4674. DOI: 10.1039/c6fo01231k. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Leaves (as part-nature) (A0EKT)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

methanol
Substance:

Glucosinolates (RF-00000330-TOX)
Additional substance description:

alpha-4-rhamnopyranosyloxy-benzyl glucosinolate; and acetyl-alpha-4-rhamnopyranosyloxy-benzyl glucosinolate Isomer III
Analytical method code:

Mass Spectroscopy and hyphenated methods without chromatography (F063A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Glucosinolates in leaves

Composition #10: Oluwaniyi, O. O., Obi, B. C. Phytochemical, Anti-nutritional and Toxicity Assessment of Moringa Oleifera Seeds, Stem Bark and Leaves Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) Assay. jordan journal of chemistry, 2018, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 171–178. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

n-hexane and methanol (seeds, stem bark and leaves each extracted and tested separately)
Substance:

Cyanogenic glycosides (RF-00004375-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Unspecified (F598A)
Analytical method - additional description:

"various standard methods"
Result unit:

Milligram/100 gram (G057A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

6.5-7.4
Internal remarks:

Cyanogenic glycosides in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves)

Composition #11: Oluwaniyi, O. O., Obi, B. C. Phytochemical, Anti-nutritional and Toxicity Assessment of Moringa Oleifera Seeds, Stem Bark and Leaves Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) Assay. jordan journal of chemistry, 2018, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 171–178. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

n-hexane and methanol (seeds, stem bark and leaves each extracted and tested separately)
Substance:

Alkaloids (RF-00004360-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Unspecified (F598A)
Analytical method - additional description:

"various standard methods"
Result unit:

Percent (G138A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

0.53-6.68
Internal remarks:

Alkaloids in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves)

Composition #12: Oluwaniyi, O. O., Obi, B. C. Phytochemical, Anti-nutritional and Toxicity Assessment of Moringa Oleifera Seeds, Stem Bark and Leaves Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) Assay. jordan journal of chemistry, 2018, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 171–178. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

n-hexane and methanol (seeds, stem bark and leaves each extracted and tested separately)
Substance:

Saponins (RF-00004333-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Unspecified (F598A)
Analytical method - additional description:

"various standard methods"
Result unit:

Percent (G138A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

14.3-35.66
Internal remarks:

Saponins in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves)

Composition #13: Oluwaniyi, O. O., Obi, B. C. Phytochemical, Anti-nutritional and Toxicity Assessment of Moringa Oleifera Seeds, Stem Bark and Leaves Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) Assay. jordan journal of chemistry, 2018, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 171–178. .

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional extraction description:

n-hexane and methanol (seeds, stem bark and leaves each extracted and tested separately)
Substance:

Oxalates (RF-00004308-PAR)
Analytical method code:

Unspecified (F598A)
Analytical method - additional description:

"various standard methods"
Result unit:

Milligram/100 gram (G057A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

17.172-31.98
Internal remarks:

Oxalates in aerial parts (stem bark, seeds, leaves)

Composition #14: Elsayed, E. A., Farooq, M., Sharaf-Eldin, M. A., El-Enshasy, H. A., Wadaan, M. Evaluation of developmental toxicity and anti-angiogenic potential of essential oils from Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina seeds in zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. south african journal of botany, 2020, vol. 129, p. 229–237. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2019.07.022. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Extraction/Preparation method:

Essential oil (as part-nature) (A166Q)
Substance:

Erucic acid (RF-00000249-NTR)
Additional substance description:

cold-pressed
Analytical method code:

LC-MS/MS (F027A)
Yes/No Qualitative:

Positive/Present (POS)
Result type:

Qualitative Value (Binary) (BIN)
Internal remarks:

Erucic acid in essential oil of seeds

Endpoint study #1: Zade, Varsha., Dabhadkar, Dinesh. Antifertility effect of alcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera stem bark on estrous cycle and estrogenic activity of female albino rat. american journal of advanced drug delivery, 2015, vol. 3, no. 3, p. 223–235. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Bark (as part-nature) (A066X)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

alcohol/water (details in paper are a bit vague)
Type of toxicological test:

reproduction toxicity (CHD009TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: GAVAGE (OECD2231PL)
Exposure duration:

5.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

6
Control groups used:

yes, concurrent vehicle
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (G211A)
Effect concentration:

25-100
Critical effect:

REPRODUCTIVE (TOX05A)
Target tissue:

urogenital: Uterus (TT052A)
Effect description:

26-100% dose-dependent fetal resorption/abortion. Increased uterine weight and vaginal opening/cornification (indication of estrogenic effects).
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

reproduction (CHD014BE)
Internal remarks:

Reproductive/antifertility effects in rats

Endpoint study #2: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

methanol
Type of toxicological test:

short-term toxicity (CHD017TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Exposure duration:

21.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

6
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (G211A)
Effect concentration:

1600
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Effect description:

Decrease in body weight in all treated groups (400 and 800 mg/kg-day), only significant in 1600 mg/kg-day group.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

body weight (CHD005BE)
Internal remarks:

Decreased body weight in rats after subchronic exposure

Endpoint study #3: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

methanol
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

3
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight (G225A)
Effect concentration:

4000-5000
Critical effect:

NEUROTOXICITY (TOX04A)
Target tissue:

Respiratory (TT005A)
Effect description:

Signs of acute toxicity appeared at 4000 mg/kg dose: respiratory distress, motionlessness, slow response to external stimuli, dullness, scratching of paws, lack of coordination and disorientation.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

neurology (CHD027BE)
Internal remarks:

Acute toxicity: respiratory and neurologic effects in rats

Endpoint study #4: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

methanol
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

3
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Lethal dose rate in 50% of experimental organisms (CHD029EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight (G225A)
Effect concentration:

3872.82
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Target tissue:

Neurologic (TT004A)
Effect description:

Max. safe dose of M. oleifera seed extract was 3,000 mg/kg and the minimum lethal dose was 5,000 mg/kg, so LD50 calculated to be: 3872.82 mg/kg.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Mortality (LD50) in rats

Endpoint study #5: Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi., Arowolo, Ruben., Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike. Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera.. journal of complementary & integrative medicine, 2013, vol. 10 . DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2012-0015. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Seed (as part-nature) (A066P)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Solvent extraction (A0BZR)
Additional plant/substance description:

methanol
Type of toxicological test:

short-term toxicity (CHD017TT)
Tested organism:

Rat (as animal) (A0CNV)
Strain of test organism:

Wistar (CHD013ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Exposure duration:

21.0
Unit of exposure duration:

Day (G134A)
Number of organisms dosed:

6
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (G211A)
Effect concentration:

1600
Critical effect:

HEPATOTOXICITY (TOX02A)
Target tissue:

Cardiovascular / Haematological (TT001A)
Effect description:

Increase in ALT and AST, serum biochemical indication of liver damage and possibly damage to other organs and systems.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

other (CHD003BE)
Internal remarks:

Liver damage (serum biochemical markers) in rats after subchronic exposure

Genotox #1: Rolim, Luciola A. D. M. M., Macedo, Marcia F. S., Sisenando, Herbert Ary., Napoleao, Thiago H., Felzenszwalb, Israel., Aiub, Claudia A. F., Coelho, Luana C. B. B., Medeiros, Silvia R. B., Paiva, Patricia M. G. Genotoxicity Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Seed Extract and Lectin. journal of food science, 2011, vol. 76, no. 2, p. T53–T58. DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01990.x. [DOI link]

Study category:

Mutagenicity
Type of toxicological test:

bacterial reverse mutation assay (CHD028TT)
Method type:

in vitro
Tested organism:

Salmonella typhimurium (as organism) (A0CPZ)
Exogenous metabolic activation applied:

with and without
Route of exposure:

OTHER (OECD0PL)
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

gene mutation
Is genotoxic:

Positive
Remarks on genotox study:

Mutagenic in multiple strains of Ames assay at 0.4-0.6 ug/uL and above with and without metabolic activation.
Internal remarks:

Seed extract mutagenic in Ames assay
Internal ID:

WOS:000287858000012