Characterizing the Role of Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) Leaves and Root Extracts on Dictyostelium discoideum Cell Behavior

Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) is a member of the Moringaceae family and has been widely used as a traditional form of treatment for various diseases due to its high nutrient content. The plant is rich in vitamins, minerals, organic acids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids. However, the concentrations of these components in each part of the plant differ, leading to specific beneficial uses. In this study, we aimed to analyze the contents of Moringa oleifera leaf (ML) and Moringa oleifera root (MR) extracts and characterize the effects of these extracts on cell behavior. HPLC analysis data showed a higher level of flavonoids and apigenin in the ML extract compared to the MR extract. Furthermore, CG/MS analysis revealed 54 components in the ML extract, with only 3 (ethyl palmitate, ethyl linolenate, and palmitic acid, 2-(octadecyloxy)ethyl ester) of them being at high levels. In this study, Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a cellular model and D. discoideum's cell growth, chemotaxis, and development life cycle were investigated. The data presented herein demonstrate a significant decrease in cell growth and that the completion of the development life cycle was delayed in the ML extract-treated sample. This effect was not found in the untreated cells and MR extract-treated samples. In addition, the ability of cells to stream during chemotaxis was not inhibited following treatments. These findings suggested that ML extract has an impact on cell proliferation and cell directed migration processes, where the high level of flavonoids and apigenin in this extract can be a strong factor that led to these results.