GC-MS analysis,determination of total phenolics,flavonoid content and free radical scavenging activities of various crude extracts of Moringa peregrina(Forssk.) Fiori leaves

Objective:To perform phytochemical screening,estimate total phenolics,flavonoids and to evaluate antioxidant potential of Moringa peregrina(M.peregrina) leaves.Methods:The dried powdered leaves of M.peregrina(150 g) were extracted exhaustively by Soxhlet with ethanol and then fractionated into hexane,chloroform,ethy alacetate and methanol.All the prepared extracts were also analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and characterize the chemical compounds present in the crude extracts.Folin- Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods were used to estimate total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts.Hydrogen peroxide and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl were used to determine in vitro antioxidant activity.Results:Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract showed presence of major classes of phytochemicals.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results revealed presence of 19 phytoconstituents in hexane extract,6 in ethyl acetate and 7 compounds in methanolic extract.Methanol extract was found to contain the highest phenolic content and flavonoids.In vitro antioxidant activities of all crude extracts were significant and comparable with the standard ascorbic acid.Conclusions:Results of this study show that the leaves of M.peregrina are the rich source of phenolic compounds that can play an important role in preventing the progression of many diseases.

Predicting the impacts of climate change on the distribution of Moringa peregrina(Forssk.)Fiori-A conservation approach

Climate change will affect the geographic distribution and richness of species at different spatial and temporal scales.We applied Maximum entropy(MaxEnt)modeling to predict the potential influence of climatic change on the current and future distribution of the important mountainous tree species Moringa peregrina(Forssk.)Fiori.The Maxent model performed better than random models for the species with the training and test AUC(Area Under the receiver-operating characteristic Curve)values of 0.96 and 0.90,respectively.Jackknife test and response curves showed that the distribution of the species negatively correlates with higher altitudes and precipitation in October and November.Moreover,it positively correlates with the total annual precipitation and precipitation in January.Under current and future climatic conditions,our model predicted habitat gains for M.peregrina towards the coastal northern and southern limits of its distribution.The potentially suitable habitats,under future climate projections,are currently characterized by elevations of<1000 m a.s.l.and total annual precipitation of 80-225 mm/year.Moderate and high potential habitat suitability will increase by 5.6%-6%and 2.1%-2.3%,under RCP2.6 and RCP4.5 scenario,respectively.The results indicated that the habitat suitability of M.peregrina would increase with increasing climate warming,particularly under RCP2.6 scenario.We recommend sustainable conservation and cultivation of Moringa peregrina in its current habitats along the Red Sea mountains.

Induction of sub-G0 arrest and apoptosis by seed extract of Moringa peregrina（Forssk.） Fiori in cervical and prostate cancer cell lines

Objective: This study investigated cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells(HELA) and prostate cancer cells(PC-3) using the most active fraction of Moringa peregrina seed extract.Methods: Dried and powdered seeds were extracted using 95% ethanol. The total ethanolic extract was further dissolved in distilled water and separated into petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts. Based on the results of in vitro anticancer studies of all extracts, the most highly active extract was selected for evaluation of apoptosis induction and cell cycle analysis on HELA and PC-3 cells at its half maximal inhibitory concentration using flow cytometry;DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis and the expression of protein were measured by Western blot.Results: The chloroform fraction from the ethanolic extract of M. peregrina(CFEE) was the most active antitumor fraction. The selectivity index, determined using the normal Vero cell line, indicated that CFEE had a high degree of selectivity against HELA and PC-3 cells. CFEE induced apoptosis, confirmed by cell cycle arrest at sub-G0 phase and DNA fragmentation. CFEE induced an increase in mRNA expression of caspase-3, a decrease in Bcl-2 mRNA expression, and decreased ATP levels. CFEE increased protein expression of caspase-3 and decreased protein expression of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-1(PARP-1).Flow cytometric analysis showed an appreciable increase in the number of cells in the early apoptotic stage in CFEE-treated HELA and PC-3 cells. CFEE treatment significantly increased lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde level) in HELA and PC-3 cells.Conclusion: Seed extract of M. peregrina displayed a significant antitumor effect through apoptosis induction in HELA and PC-3 cells.