Harnessing the anticancer potential of Moringa oleifera: a safer, multi-targeted adjunct

Moringa oleifera, a nutrient-rich medicinal plant, demonstrates promising anticancer potential across various malignancies, including breast, colorectal, liver, lung, prostate, and oral cancers. Its bioactive phytochemicals - such as isothiocyanates, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids - exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, and antiproliferative effects. Mechanistically, M. oleifera induces apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2/Bax expression, activating caspases, and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Its extracts and silver nanoparticles suppress metastasis-related genes and downregulate key oncogenes like c-Myc and FSHR. Molecular docking and network pharmacology confirm the affinity of its phytochemicals to cancer-regulatory proteins. Preclinical and limited human studies reveal a favorable safety profile with minimal toxicity at oral doses. Moringa's diverse mechanisms, broad-spectrum activity, and low toxicity underscore its potential as an adjunct in cancer therapy. Future research should focus on clinical validation, standardized formulations, delivery systems, understudied cancers, and combinatorial regimens with conventional therapies to advance its role in integrative oncology.