Nutrigenomic and Biomolecular Aspect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Leaf Powder as Supplementation for Stunting Children

Abstract

Stunting is a global health problem. Based on WHO data, there are 161 million children who experience stunting. Breastmilk supplementation in the form of Moringa oleifera leaves powder is known to be beneficial in suppressing the stunting incidence. Moringa oleifera leaves powder contains protein, micronutrients, and minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium, vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and antioxidants (flavonoid acids, phenolic acids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, and saponins). The use of Moringa oleifera leaves powder in stunting cases has been carried out, but further studies in the aspects of nutrigenomics and molecular biology have not been conducted. This study is a literature review of relevant articles from www.pubmed.com, www.sciencedirect.com, and scholar.google.com. The author used keywords "stunting", "nutrigenomics", "biomolecular", and "Moringa oleifera". Pathogenic microbe such as Shigella and pathogenic E. coli ingestion can cause changes in DNA sequences in the stunting pathogenesis. Moringa oleifera leave powder can pass through nutrigenomic and biomolecular mechanisms. Some macro and micromolecules of Moringa oleifera leaves powder such as folate plays a role in DNA methylation; vegetable protein and fatty acids act as promoters in DNA sequences; vitamins act as cofactors for enzymes, antioxidant, and antiinflammation. Seeing various potential mechanisms in the aspects of nutrigenomic and molecular biology, Moringa oleifera leaves powder can be used in overcoming stunting. Further research is needed to give more review about cytokines and molecules included in this literature review.

Community empowerment with moringa leaf-based food diversification for stunting prevention in the Sidosermo Community Health Center, Surabaya

“…Beberapa kandungan makro dan mikromolekul dalam daun kelor seperti folat berperan dalam metilasi DNA; protein nabati dan asam lemak bertindak sebagai promotor dalam urutan DNA; vitamin bertindak sebagai kofaktor untuk enzim, antioksidan, dan anti inflamasi. Melalui berbagai mekanisme potensial di aspek nutrigenomik dan biologi molekuler, zat aktif dalam daun kelor dapat digunakan dalam mengatasi stunting (Putra et al, 2021). Hal ini dilengkapi dengan beragam asam amino yang dibutuhkan tubuh untuk mencegah stunting, dipenuhi dari protein hewani yang terdapat dalam ikan (Kochkorova et al, 2018).…”

Physicochemical Properties and Nutrition of Moringa Oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract: A Preliminary Study on Preparation Phytosomes as Herbal Supplement for Children

“…Arginine plays in the detoxification of ammonia by the urea cycle and has a high turnover in growing infants. The requirement of arginine in infants is very high because used in the high amount of arginine in protein tissues and the multiple utilization pathways for synthesis [5,36].…”

“…Stunted children of age <5 y also experience delays in the development of fine motor skills (2.86%), gross motor skills (1.90%), and social independence (2.10%) incidences, which are slightly below the respective global estimated rate of 3% childhood developmental delays [3]. Good nutrition in complementary food for the first 1000 d of life is considered critical for the physical growth of children for supporting brain development as maturation of myelination to reduce cognitive deficits in children [4,5]. Essential amino acids (i.e., arginine, glutamine, leucine, lysine, isoleucine, glycine, serine, and valine) correlated to the linear growth of children [6].…”

“…Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf contains various nutrition such as mineral, vitamin, and vegetable protein has a function to increase enzyme activities has a role in protein production as a ligand for DNA sequence promoter for transcription of DNA in development growth children [5]. Suppressing stunting by supplementation from Moringa leaf powder mixed in porridge by enhancing the nutritional and phytochemical, by increasing approximately 11% protein, 45% iron, 40% phenolics, 139% flavonoids, and 10% antioxidant activity [8].…”

Literature Review: Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera) sebagai Makanan Sehat Pelengkap Nutrisi 1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan

“…2017). Pemenuhan gizi bagi bayi perlu dilakukan agar tidak menimbulkan inflamasi dan gangguan proses genomik yang terjadi pada stunting (Putra, et al, 2021).…”