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Background and Aim: Although widely employed in traditional remedies globally, the safety and efficacy of Moringa oleifera remain inadequately documented through scientific research. This study evaluated the oral toxicity of M. oleifera leaf aqueous extract (MoAE) and its impact on gout-induced rats. Materials and Methods: 2000 mg/kg was given in a single dose during the acute oral toxicity test, while 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg were given daily for 28 days in the repeated dose toxicity test. 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg MoAE doses were administered during the assessment of its impact on gout caused by monosodium urate. In the hyperuricemia model induced by oxonic acid, serum uric acid levels were assessed and pain response was measured through acetic acid-induced writhing. Results: In acute oral and 28-day repeated dose tests, no indications of toxicity were detected, while MoAE alleviated ankle joint swelling and reduced serum uric acid concentrations in arthritic rats, causing a significant reduction in acetic acid-induced contortions. Conclusion: No acute oral toxicity or toxicity in 28-day repeated doses was found for MoAE, while it exhibited antiarthritic, antihyperuricemic, and pain-relieving effects in the murine model.

Chronic disease inflammation requires safe complementary treatments. The pericarp of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (PTM) contains potential anti-inflammatory metabolites. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive components, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory effects of PTM extracts at two ripening stages. The bioactive compounds in the hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of mature and green pericarps were identified by GC-MS and UV–VIS, while the antioxidant capacity was measured by free radical reduction. Anti-inflammatory effects were tested using a rat paw edema model with carrageenan-induced edema, indomethacin, or PTM extracts (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg). The effect of mature hydrophilic extract was further evaluated in an air pouch model, where rats received the placebo, carrageenan, indomethacin, or the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg). Leukocytes, cytokines, and markers of oxidative stress were evaluated. The results showed the presence of organic compounds, total phenols, and flavonoids. The mature hydrophilic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. At 500 mg/kg, it reduced edema, leukocyte migration, and levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α while managing oxidative stress and preventing histological damage. In conclusion, PTM contains bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological properties. The hydrophilic extract of the mature pericarp, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, exhibits an enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Moringa oleifera Lam, commonly known as moringa, is a plant widely used both as a human food and for medicinal purposes around the world. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MoAE) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT) in rats with induced breast cancer. Cancer was induced with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) at a dose of 60 mg/kg by orogastric gavage once only. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to eight groups, each consisting of six individuals. The control group (healthy) was called Group I. Group II received DMBA plus saline. In addition to DMBA, Groups III, IV, and V received MoAE at 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, while Groups VI, VII, and VIII received BIT at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment was carried out for 13 weeks. Secondary metabolite analysis results identified predominantly quercetin, caffeoylquinic acid, neochlorogenic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol, as well as tropone, betaine, loliolide, and vitexin. The administration of MoAE at a dose of 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg exhibited a notable decrease in both the total tumor count and the cumulative tumor weight, along with a delay in their onset. Furthermore, they improved the histological grade. A significant decrease in serum levels of VEGF and IL-1β levels was observed (p < 0.001) with a better effect demonstrated with MoAE at 500 mg/kg and BIT at 20 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study suggests that both the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and the benzyl isothiocyanate possess antitumor properties against mammary carcinogenesis, and this effect could be due, at least in part, to the flavonoids and isothiocyanates present in the extract.

Objective. To evaluate the antioxidant capacity and protective effect of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Senecio rhizomatus Rusby in rat erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methodology. This study used an experimental design. The extracts were obtained through maceration with 96° ethanol (SeR96), 70° ethanol (SeR70), 50° ethanol (SeR50) and through infused water (SeRAc). Secondary metabolites were identified through colorimetric reactions and precipitation. In each extract, we could determine the capacity to eliminate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the reduction of ferric ion and the total polyphenol content. In addition, the activity on the plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) was evaluated in each extract. The protection against oxidative stress in erythrocytes was evaluated by determining the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, sesquiterpene lactones and sugars were identified in all the extracts. The total polyphenols content showed a correlation with the reduction of ferric ion (r=0.885) and with DPPH radicals elimination (r = -0.899), where the one with the highest antioxidant capacity was SeR50. Thus, the SeR50 (all concentrations) and SeR70 (100 µg/mL concentration) significantly increased the PMRS activity compared to the control group. After inducing oxidative stress in erythrocytes, all the extracts maintained the GSH level and inhibited MDA formation significantly compared to the H2O2 group. Conclusion. The antioxidant capacity of hydroalcoholic extracts (96°, 70°, 50°) and aqueous infusion of Senecio rhizomatus Rusby is related to the content of polyphenols. They increase the plasma membrane redox system activity in rat erythrocytes and protect them from oxidative stress induced with H2O2, showing an increase in the concentration of reduced glutathione and a decrease in malondialdehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annona muricata leaves are traditionally used as an anticancer plant in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of the essential oil from Annona muricata leaves (EOAm) in an experimental model of breast cancer and to determine the volatile constituents with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty female rats were assigned to five groups: the control group; the DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene) group; and three groups received daily EOAm doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day, plus DMBA, respectively. After 13 weeks of treatment, tumors were analyzed pathologically and biochemical markers in serum were noted. As a result, in GC-MS analysis, 40 compounds were identified and 4 of them were abundant: Z-caryophyllene (40.22%), followed by α-selinene (9.94%), β-pinene (8.92%), and β-elemene (7.48%). Furthermore, EOAm in a dose-dependent form produced a reduction in tumor frequency and the accumulated tumor volume was reduced by 50% and 71% with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Serum levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly compared to the DMBA group. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decreased significantly from 70.75 ± 7.15 pg/mL in the DMBA group to 46.50 ± 9.00 and 34.13 ± 11.50 pg/mL in groups treated with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. This study concludes that the EOAm leaves showed an ameliorative effect in a murine model of breast cancer.