Polysaccharde from Moringa oleifera leaves found to regulate gut microbial composition in mice

In this study, researchers from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in China explored the potential health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

• M. oleifera is a plant known for its nutritional and pharmacological value.
• M. oleifera leaves contain a variety of health-promoting active compounds.
• In a previous study, the team obtained the polysaccharide MOs-2-a (1.35?×?104 Da) from M. oleifera leaves.
• For the current study, the team explored the health benefits of polysaccharide MOs-2-a in vivo.
• They treated mice with MOs-2-a for four weeks and measured the mice’s body weight, immunity, intestinal digestion and intestinal microenvironment before and after treatment.
• After treatment, the researchers noted significant improvements in the mice’s immune and internal digestive ability based on their organ indices, digestive enzyme levels and the reduction of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and diamine oxidase levels.
• MOs-2-a also increased gut bacterial populations, particularly those that have been reported for their anti-obesity effects, short-chain fatty acid production and lactic acid production.

In sum, the polysaccharide MOS-2 from M. oleifera is a promising prebiotic that can be used to promote a healthy gut microbiota.

Learn more about the benefits of M. oleifera at FoodScience.news.

Journal Reference:

Wang F, Bao YF, Si JJ, Duan Y, Weng ZB, Shen XC. THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF A POLYSACCHARIDE FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF ON GUT MICROECOLOGY IN MICE. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2019;22(9):907–918. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4382