Moringa oleifera: a valuable insight into recent advances in medicinal uses and pharmacological activities

Moringa oleifera is an important medicinal plant in several countries; for example, Nigeria, the USA, Turkey, Germany, Greece, and Ukraine. The abundant bioactive and nutritional properties of this plant make it useful in many and diverse areas of life, including the health, cosmetic, agricultural, and food industries to mention but a few. Research has found that the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, fatty acids, saponins, essential oils, folate, aromatic hydrocarbons, sterols, glucosinolates, and glycosides, among others, characterize the moringa nutrient profile and, as a result, give rise to its remedial effects on ailments such as wounds, stomach and duodenal ulcers, allergies, obesity, diabetes, inflammation, asthma, and so on. It is the aim of this review to provide an insight into such medicinal and pharmacological remedies attributed to moringa, stating both the past and recent discoveries. This review article also takes a look into the botanical features, bioactive compounds, antinutrients, food applications, bacterial fermentation products, biosafety, industrial applications, and other uses of moringa. Finally, with the belief that knowledge is progressive, we acknowledge that there are things yet undiscovered about this wonder plant that will be of value both to medicine and general life; we therefore recommend that research work continues on the moringa plant. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.