Title:Evaluation of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract for its In vitro Antibacterial Properties, Mechanism of Action, and In vivo Corneal Ulcer Healing Effects in Rabbits’ Eyes
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Ayesha Bibi, Meenakshi Dhanawat, Shahbaz Aman, Samrat Chauhan, Rishabh Chalotra, Somdutt Mujwar, Narinder Kaur, Chamasse Homary Maivagna and Sumeet Gupta*
Affiliation:
- M.M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana,
India
Keywords:
Moringa oleifera, Alkali induced corneal ulcer, antibacterial plant, antioxidant, rabbit, in-silico, corneal ulcer.
Abstract:
Background: M. oleifera is the most adapted tree species in different medicinal eco-systems
and has resilience against climate changes. This multiple-use tree provides healthy foods,
snacks, honey, and fuel. Besides this, it has immense promising applications by offering antimicrobial
and antibacterial activities for targeted uses. This validates the court of Hippocrates that let
food be the medicine and medicine be the food for which moringa qualifies.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the antioxidant properties of M. oleifera, in
vitro antibacterial activity of hydro-ethanolic extract, and further investigate in vivo healing potential
of M. oleifera for corneal ulcers and in silico analysis.
Methods: To evaluate the antioxidant and in vitro antibacterial potency of the hydro-ethanolic extract
of M. oleifera on clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus using
agar well diffusion assay. Furthermore, in vivo, healing response of M. oleifera extract was
analysed on corneal ulcers induced in rabbit eyes infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus.
Results: The M. oleifera extract exhibited exponential antioxidant activity. In-vitro antibacterial
activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion assay showing zone of inhibition ranging from 11.05
± 0.36 to 20 ± 0.40 mm at concentrations of 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/ml, whereas, in our finding,
no zone of inhibition was observed below 20 mg/ml concentration, which indicated that there is
threshold limit below which the antibacterial activity of M. oleifera extract is not observed. Furthermore,
continuous application of 3% and 5% M. oleifera extract (eye drop) four times a day for
14 consecutive days showed a significant healing response of the eyes of rabbits with corneal ulcers.
Conclusion: These results suggest that M. oleifera extract could be a viable alternative or in combination
could be used in existing antibacterial therapies for corneal ulcers. Additionally, there is a
possibility of commercial formulation of M. oleifera extract in the form of deliverable pharmaceutical
products; therefore, it should be explored further.
