Moringa oleifera (Shajna): the wonderful indigenous medicinal plant

Md Mobarak Hossain,Md Monir Ahammed,Mohammad Abu Bin Nyeem,Mohammad Abu Taher,Mohammad Nazrul Islam

doi:10.3329/ajmbr.v3i1.32032

Abstract

The Tree of Life' or 'Miracle Tree' is the name of the plant of Moringa oleifera (Shajna). Moringa oleifera is one of the important plants in plant kingdom. Its leaves and fruits are used as vegetable in Indian sub continent, at the same time each part of the plant rich with some important medicinal values. It is now considered as a valuable source of several unique products for the medicines against various diseases. The present review is to focus on the nutritive values, physico-chemical properties, phyto-chemicals and pharmacological activities of M. oleifera. Various parts of the plant like seeds, leaves, flowers, bark and fruits have been investigated for their significant pharmacological activity. Phyto-chemicals like flavanoid, anthraquinone, alkaloids, essential oils, tannic acid, carotene, glucose have been reported for significant antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, aphrodisiac, antiinflammatory, antihyperlipidaemic, antihyperglycaemic and antiulcer activities of Drumstick tree and emphasizes the need for further exploring available information.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2017, 3(1): 20-30

Highlights

Moringa oleifera is esteemed as a versatile plant due to its multiple uses
The leaves, fruits, flowers and immature pods of this tree are edible and they form a part of traditional diets in many countries of the tropics and sub-tropics (Siddhuraju and Becker, 2003; Anhwange et al, 2004)
Plant description Moringa oleifera, known popularly as drumstick tree, is a tropical plant grown for its nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, and mineral-rich green fruit pods

Summary

Introduction

The root from the young plant can be dried and grounded for use as a hot seasoning base with a flavor similar to that of the horseradish This is why Moringa tree has been given the name “Horseradish tree”. 2. Plant description Moringa oleifera, known popularly as drumstick tree, is a tropical plant grown for its nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, and mineral-rich green fruit pods. Plant description Moringa oleifera, known popularly as drumstick tree, is a tropical plant grown for its nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, and mineral-rich green fruit pods It is a well-recognized member in the Moringaceae family of trees, and thought to be originated in the sub-Himalayan forests of the Indian subcontinent. It possesses horseradish-like root and, known to the western world as horseradish tree

Different vernacular name Bengali

Findings

11. Conclusions