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Editorial

Use of Moringa Oleifera Seeds in Water Treatment

Marcia Kiyomi Koike et al. Akimi Kokanj Kochi Denise Yamada Gomes Pinto

Moringa oleifera Lamarck (MO) is a plant of the Moringaceae family, native to the Himalayas and adapted on several continents, is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Rapidly growing, the whole plant has a wide variety of applications in diet and folk medicine.

However, scientific evidence of its properties began to emerge only in the beginning of 2000. In experimental studies in vitro or ex-vivo , leaves and seeds showed several biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory and wound healing, antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidant^, and sexual function.^,

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Original Article

Evaluation of the Cardiac Effects of a Water-Soluble Lectin (Wsmol) from Moringa Oleifera Seeds

Ainhoa Rodríguez de Yurre et al. José Dayvid Ferreira da Silva Marília Kalinne da Silva Torres Eduarda Lopes Martins … Isalira Peroba Ramos Wênio Sandoval Filho Lima da Silva Jéssica da Silva Sarpa Caio César da Silva Guedes Thiago Henrique Napoleão Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva Emiliano Medei

Abstract

Background

Moringa oleifera seeds, which are used for water clarification, contain a lectin named WSMoL which has shown in vitro antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity. Due to their nutritional value and therapeutic potential, the leaves and seeds of this tree are eaten in some communities. Some plant lectins are non-toxic to mammals, but others have been reported to be harmful when ingested or administered by other means.

Objective

As one of the steps needed to define the safety of WSMoL, we evaluated possible cardiotoxic effects of this purified protein. Methods: WSMoL was administered for 21 consecutive days to mice by gavage. Electrophysiological, mechanical, and metabolic cardiac functions were investigated by in vivo and ex vivo electrocardiographic recordings, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-resolution respirometry.

Results

The treatment with WSMoL did not induce changes in blood glucose levels or body weight in comparison with control group. Moreover, the heart weight/body weight and heart weight/tibia length ratios were similar in both groups. Lectin ingestion also did not modify glucose tolerance or insulin resistance. No alterations were observed in electrocardiographic parameters or cardiac action potential duration. The heart of mice from the control and WSMoL groups showed preserved left ventricular function. Furthermore, WSMoL did not induce changes in mitochondrial function (in all cases, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The administration of WSMoL demonstrated a cardiac safety profile. These results contribute to the safety evaluation of using M. oleifera seeds to treat water, since this lectin is present in the preparation employed by some populations to this end. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)