Moringa vs Cancer

Moringa oleifera extracts have strong potential to induce cancer cell death through apoptosis, selectively targeting various cancer cell lines while sparing normal healthy cells. Studies show:

- Moringa root and leaf extracts reduce viability and induce apoptosis in liver cancer (HepG2), breast cancer (MCF7, MDA-MB-231), colorectal cancer (HCT 116, Caco-2, HCT-8), and leukemia cell lines in a dose-dependent manner.

- For example, in HepG2 liver cancer cells, Moringa leaf extracts triggered apoptosis up to 567.5% higher than controls. Root core extracts effectively killed multiple cancer cells with minimal effects on normal cells.

- The underlying mechanisms include mitochondrial dysfunction, depletion of cellular ATP and glutathione (GSH), and downregulation of proteins that promote cancer survival (e.g., E2F1). Bioactive compounds involved include eugenol, isopropyl isothiocyanate, D-allose, and palmitic acid, which contribute to cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

- Nanoparticle formulations of Moringa extracts enhance their stability and sustained release, improving their anti-cancer efficacy.

- These findings imply that Moringa extracts hold promise as natural, selective anticancer agents potentially useful against aggressive breast, liver, and colorectal cancers.

In summary, Moringa demonstrates powerful and selective induction of apoptosis in various cancer cells, making it a compelling natural candidate for cancer treatment research while maintaining low toxicity toward normal cells.

The molecular pathways by which Moringa oleifera exerts its anticancer effects involve several key mechanisms:

1. **Induction of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest:**

- Moringa leaf and bark extracts induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cause cell cycle arrest predominantly at the G2/M phase in various cancer cell lines including breast (MDA-MB-231) and colorectal (HCT-8) cancers. This arrest inhibits cancer cell proliferation.

- Bioactive compounds such as eugenol, isopropyl isothiocyanate, and D-allose in the extracts contribute to these effects by interfering with cancer cell survival pathways.

2. **Modulation of Signaling Pathways:**

- Moringa disrupts the **MAPK/AKT signaling pathway**, which regulates cell growth, survival, apoptosis, and autophagy. By modulating this pathway, Moringa protein promotes cancer cell apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, as shown in leukemia (Jurkat) cells.

- It also affects the **JAK/STAT signaling pathway** negatively, which can suppress cancer cell proliferation.

3. **Regulation of Apoptosis-Related Proteins:**

- Treatment with Moringa extracts increases tumor suppressor **p53** and pro-apoptotic protein **SMAC/DIABLO**, enhancing apoptosis.

- It decreases antioxidant regulator **Nrf2** and DNA repair protein **PARP-1**, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, DNA fragmentation, and cancer cell death.

4. **Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Metabolic Disruption:**

- Moringa extracts cause mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in depletion of ATP and glutathione (GSH), critical for cancer cell metabolism and survival.

In summary, Moringa oleifera induces cancer cell death mainly through apoptotic pathways mediated by modulation of MAPK/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, regulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins (p53, SMAC/DIABLO, Nrf2, PARP-1), and mitochondrial dysfunction. These combined molecular effects contribute to its selective toxicity toward cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

References include studies on breast, colorectal, and leukemia cancer models highlighting these pathways and their disruption by Moringa extracts and proteins.

Sources

[1] Moringa oleifera as an Anti-Cancer Agent against Breast and ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4545797/

[2] The In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Properties of Moringa oleifera https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6261394/

[3] Moringa oleifera leaves protein suppresses T-lymphoblastic ... https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1546189/full

[4] The anticancer potential of chemical constituents of Moringa oleifera ... https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-023-04198-z

[5] Review Moringa oleifera and their phytonanoparticles: Potential ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332218327884

[6] View of MOLECULAR TARGETS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA IN ... https://jummec.um.edu.my/index.php/jummec/article/view/43809/15647

[7] Role of Moringa oleifera Lam. in cancer: Phytochemistry and ... https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fft2.181

[8] Anticancer activities of phenolic compounds from Moringa oleifera ... https://bjbas.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43088-021-00101-2

[9] A potential oral anticancer drug candidate, Moringa oleifera leaf ... https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ol.2015.3482

This aligns strongly with previous knowledge highlighting Moringa’s role in selective cancer cell death and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, underscoring its potential therapeutic value.

Sources

[1] Moringa oleifera Root Induces Cancer Apoptosis more Effectively ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5697473/

[2] Anticancer effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract against lung ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667394022000466

[3] Moringa oleifera: A Review on the Antiproliferative Potential in ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10453312/

[4] Antiproliferation and induction of apoptosis by Moringa oleifera leaf ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691511000755

[5] A Short Review on Cancer and Moringa Oleifera Leaves Treatment https://ajmcrr.com/index.php/pub/article/view/166

[6] [PDF] Moringa oleifera: An apoptosis inducer in cancer cells https://www.tjpr.org/admin/12389900798187/2017_16_9_34.pdf

[7] Antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐inflammatory potential of Moringa ... https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.4312

[8] A potential oral anticancer drug candidate, Moringa oleifera leaf ... https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ol.2015.3482

[9] Moringa oleifera Root Induces Cancer Apoptosis more Effectively ... http://journal.waocp.org/article_49377.html