Moringa induces its beneficial effect via hormesis.

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, a traditional Indian herb, is widely known for its capacity to induce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other chemoprotective effects in a broad range of biomedical models. These perspectives have led to an extensive number of studies using various moringa extracts to evaluate its capacity to protect biological systems from oxidative stress and to explore whether it could be used to slow the onset of numerous age-related conditions and diseases. Moringa extracts have also been applied to prevent damage to plants from oxidative and saline stresses, following hormetic dose–response patterns. The present paper provides the first integrated and mechanistically based assessment showing that moringa extracts commonly induce hormetic dose responses and that many, perhaps most, of the beneficial effects of moringa are due to its capacity to act as an hormetic agent.