Moringa oleifera Seeds Attenuate Vascular Oxidative and Nitrosative Stresses in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Moringa oleifera (MOI) is a tree currently used in traditional medicine in tropical Africa, America, and Asia for therapeutic applications in several disorders including arterial hypertension. We previously described a cardiac protective role of a treatment with MOI seeds in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Here, we investigated the effects of this treatment on oxidative and nitrosative vascular stresses in SHR, with normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats used as controls. Oxidative and nitrosative stresses detected in SHR aortas using the fluorescent dye dihydroethidine and protein nitrotyrosine staining were reduced in MOI-treated SHR aortas. This was associated with a decrease of free 8-isoprostane circulating level, vascular p22phox and p47phox expressions, and SOD2 upregulation. Moreover, circulating nitrites and C-reactive protein, increased in SHR, were both reduced in SHR receiving MOI. This was associated to decrease iNOS and NF-κB protein expressions after MOI treatment. In functional studies, the endothelium-dependent carbachol-induced relaxation was improved in MOI-treated SHR resistance arteries. Oral administration of MOI seeds demonstrates vascular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial protective effects in SHR. Our data support the use of MOI seeds in diet against cardiovascular disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation such as hypertension, scientifically validating the use of these seeds in Malagasy traditional medicine.

Bioactive Components in Moringa Oleifera Leaves Protect against Chronic Disease

“…The isolated four pure compounds, niazinin A, niazinin B, niazimicin and niazinin A + B—from ethanol extract of MO leaves showed a blood pressure lowering effect in rats, mediated possibly through a calcium antagonist effect [ 14 , 95 ]. A recent study reported that MO reduced vascular oxidation in spontaneously hypertensive rats [ 96 ].…”

Investigation of medicinal plants traditionally used as dietary supplements: A review on Moringa oleifera

“…Moringa has also remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. The antioxidant activity is particularly strong in leaves 61 , but also pods 62 and seeds 63 showed similar effects. Studies with normal and diabetic rats documented significant increase in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase and decreased lipid peroxidation in response to treatment with aqueous leaf extracts.…”

Biological, nutritional, and therapeutic significance of Moringa oleifera Lam

“…Thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate glycosides (Faizi et al, ), methyl phydroxybenzoate and β‐sitosterol (Faizi et al, ) isolated from pods are known for hypotensive activity. Seeds demonstrated vascular oxidative and nitrosative stresses in spontaneously hypertensive rats (Randriamboavonjy, Rio, Pacaud, Loirand, & Tesse, ). Niazinin‐A, niazinin‐B, and niazimicin found in ethanolic extract of leaves are effective in controlling the blood pressure level possibly through a calcium antagonist effect (Anwar et al, ; Dubey, Dora, Kumar, & Gulsan, ).…”