Moringin from Moringa oleifera: Phytochemistry, molecular targets and pharmacological mechanisms - a PRISMA systematic review.
Blundell Renald
Abstract
Moringin [4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate] is a chemically distinctive glycosylated isothiocyanate generated from glucomoringin in Moringa oleifera. This PRISMA 2020 systematic review evaluated primary mammalian studies using chemically defined moringin, moringa isothiocyanate-1 (MIC-1), or defined moringin formulations to clarify molecular targets, signalling pathways and translational evidence. PubMed/MEDLINE and Europe PMC were searched from inception to 15 September 2026, with backward and forward citation searching. Forty-one primary mechanistic studies met the prespecified criteria. The strongest recurrent evidence involved suppression of NF-κB-linked inflammatory signalling and activation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant responses. Additional evidence implicated JAK/STAT signalling, Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin-PPARγ and PI3K/AKT/mTOR networks, PTP1B-dependent Src/Ras/Raf/ERK signalling, mitochondrial apoptosis, TRPA1 and ion-channel modulation, autophagy/mitophagy, epigenomic regulation, and cysteine-adduct chemistry with slow hydrogen sulfide release. Causal support was strongest where genetic, pharmacological or direct functional perturbation was used, whereas many pathway associations remain inferential. No qualifying human study of isolated moringin was identified. Moringin therefore appears to act as a pleiotropic electrophilic signal modulator rather than a single-target ligand. Translation will require pharmaceutical-grade standardisation, exposure-defined pharmacokinetics, direct target-engagement studies, safety characterisation and early human biomarker trials.
Key Findings
- Moringin suppresses NF-κB-linked inflammatory signalling.
- Moringin activates Nrf2-dependent antioxidant responses.
- Moringin modulates multiple signalling pathways including JAK/STAT, Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin-PPARγ, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR.
- Evidence supports moringin as a pleiotropic electrophilic signal modulator rather than a single-target ligand.
- No qualifying human studies on isolated moringin were identified, highlighting the need for further translational research.
Clinical Significance
Moringin shows promise as a modulator of oxidative stress and inflammation through Nrf2 activation, but clinical translation requires standardized formulations, pharmacokinetic studies, and early human trials to establish safety and efficacy.
Citation
Blundell Renald. Moringin from Moringa oleifera: Phytochemistry, molecular targets and pharmacological mechanisms - a PRISMA systematic review. Fitoterapia. 2026-Nov-01.