<b>Phyto-pharmacology of <i>Moringa oleifera</i></b><b> Lam. </b><b>— </b><b>An overview</b>

347-353Moringa oleifera Lam. is a small or medium-sized tree, about 10 m high, cultivated throughout India. It is a multipurpose tree, used as vegetable, spice, a source of cooking and cosmetic oil and as a medicinal plant. It is reported to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and cinnamates. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidaemic, antifertility, anticancer, antihepatotoxic and antiulcer activities. Further, activity guided phytochemical and phytoanalytical studies may lead to development of novel agents to be used in various disorders. An overview of chemical constituents present in the plant and their pharmacological actions are given in the present paper