Analysis of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities, and determination of the phenolic profile of Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera, known as the tree of life, is classified as an herbal plant due to its vast medicinal benefits. Usually, the plant is used to cure diseases. This study investigated the antioxidants and hepatoprotective properties of Moringa oleifera grown in different regions of Pakistan. Using assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, iron chelation, and phosphomolybdenum reducing activity, the extract revealed strong antioxidant potential and protection against lipid peroxidation in phospholipid homogenates. It also exhibited significant alpha-amylase inhibition and hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced toxicity, confirmed by biochemical and histopathological analysis. Phytochemical profiling of the leaf extract revealed the presence of multiple phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including various syringic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-p-coumaroylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-di-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-feruloyl-4-caffeoylquinic acid, dihydromyricetin, apigenin-7-glucoside, qurecetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetine-3-rutinoside-7-glucoside, Isorhamnetin-3-hydroxyferuloyl glucoside-7-glucoside, Quercetin 3-(methoxycaffeoyldiglucoside)-7-glucoside, and quercetin-3-(caffeoyl diglucoside)-7-glucoside. Data suggest that Moringa oleifera from Pakistan is rich in bioactive compounds contributing to its antioxidant and liver-protective activities.