COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL, NUTRITIVE AND MEDICINAL ANALYSIS OF PITHECELLOBIUM DULCE AND MORINGA OLEIFERA: THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF INDIGENOUS SPECIES

Indigenous plants have long served as critical sources of nutrition and traditional medicine. Among them, Moringa oleifera is widely recognized for its exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties, leading to its extensive cultivation and commercialization. In contrast, Pithecellobium dulce, though traditionally used in various folk remedies, remains largely underexplored and underutilized despite its widespread availability in tropical regions. The present paper is designed to emphasize the importance of scientifically validating indigenous and neglected species. It seeks to comparatively analyze the phytochemical, nutritive, and medicinal attributes of P. dulce and M. oleifera with the aim of evaluating their potential health benefits. By doing so, the paper aims to determine whether P. dulce can emerge as a promising alternative to the more established M. oleifera, particularly in the context of affordable and sustainable plant-based therapeutics and nutrition. This paper is significant in its potential to promote biodiversity-based food and medicine systems, encourage the use of locally available plant resources, and contribute to the broader goals of food security, traditional knowledge preservation, and alternative medicine development.