ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VIVO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EVALUATION OF BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM. LEAVES IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of bioactive peptides derived from Moringa oleifera leaves. Proteins extracted via alkaline precipitation were hydrolyzed using Alcalase ( degree of hydrolysis) and fractionated via ultrafiltration, with the kDa fraction yielding the highest protein content ( mg/mL). Acute toxicity testing established an oral mg/kg, indicating safety. In carrageenan-induced paw edema Wistar rats, the kDa peptide fraction at 400 mg/kg demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy comparable to diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg). Specifically, the peptides suppressed paw edema by (versus for diclofenac). Furthermore, biochemical analyses revealed marked reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokinAes TNF- (), IL-1$\beta$ (), and IL-6 (), alongside decreased oxidative stress marker MDA (). Conversely, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GSH increased significantly (). These findings indicate that low-molecular-weight Moringa oleifera peptides serve as a safe, potent, and natural alternative therapy for managing chronic, inflammation-driven non-communicable diseases.