Medicinal Chemistry Review Of Bioactive Compounds In Moringa Leaves (Moringa Oleifera) As Natural Antioxidants

Main Article Content

Saeful Amin Saeful Amin
Delya Annisa Putri
Syalwa Nazmi Diki
Melvi Dwi Ariani

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves are widely used in the health sector due to their rich content of bioactive compounds with potential as natural antioxidants. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and triterpenoids play an important role in scavenging free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative damage. This article aims to review the potential of bioactive compounds in Moringa oleifera leaves as antioxidants from a medicinal chemistry perspective. The study was conducted using a literature review method by analyzing national and international scientific articles published between 2020 and 2026 from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. The findings indicate that the antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera leaves is mainly influenced by flavonoids and phenolic compounds. In addition, extraction methods, drying processes, fermentation, and formulation techniques also affect the effectiveness of antioxidant activity. Several studies further report that Moringa oleifera leaves have strong potential to be developed into pharmaceutical preparations and health products due to the stability of their active compounds. Overall, Moringa oleifera leaves represent a promising natural antioxidant source for further development in the field of pharmaceutical science based on natural products.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Saeful Amin, S. A., Delya Annisa Putri, Syalwa Nazmi Diki, & Melvi Dwi Ariani. (2026). Medicinal Chemistry Review Of Bioactive Compounds In Moringa Leaves (Moringa Oleifera) As Natural Antioxidants . International Journal of Health Engineering and Technology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhet.v5i1.864
Section
Health

References

Amin, S., & Guspiana, R. (2025). Medicinal Chemistry Review of the Potential of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) Essential Oil Extract for Health. Journal of Public Health Science, 2(2), 153–159. https://doi.org/10.70248/jophs.v2i2.2194

Amin, S., Lidiasari, A., & Fernanda, R. (2025). Molecular structure optimization through medicinal chemistry: An innovative strategy to overcome drug resistance in modern infectious diseases. Journal of Public Health Science, 2(4).

Amin, S., Rusiyana, NP, Pujiyani, D., & Azzahara, SM (2024). Evaluation of the anticancer potential of moringa leaf compounds through medicinal chemistry. Indonesian Journal of Medical Sciences, 4(1), 75–82. https://doi.org/10.35912/jimi.v4i1.4554

Ansory, HM, Meilana, A., Putri, S., Wulantika, W., & Harmastuti, N. (2023). Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity in Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract through Fermentation: A Comparative Study of Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity. Indonesian Pharmacy Journal, 20(1), 54–63.

Chiș, A., Noubissi, PA, Pop, OL, Mureșan, CI, Fokam Tagne, MA, Kamgang, R., Fodor, A., Sitar-Tăut, AV, Cozma, A., Orășan, OH, Hegheș, SC, Vulturar, R., & Suharoschi, R. (2024). Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera: Mechanisms of Action, Focus on Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Plants, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010020

El-Sherbiny, G.M., Alluqmani, A.J., Elsehemy, I.A., & Kalaba, M.H. (2024). Antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical screening of Moringa oleifera leaves. El-Sherbiny, G.M., Alluqmani, A.J., Elsehemy, I.A., & Kalaba, M.H. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1–17.

Fachruddin, Suprayogi, A., Manalu, W., Hanif, N., & Darusman, HS (2024). Data on characteristics of simplicia, phytoconstituents, and antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera leaves ethanol extract. Data in Brief, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110425

Hanifah, R., Sukmawati, S., & Amalia, N. (2024). ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY TEST OF FACIAL SERUM PREPARATIONS FROM ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Moringa oleifera Lam. LEAF USING THE DPPH METHOD. Journal of Pharmacopolium, 6(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.36465/jop.v6i2.1204

Hidayat, MA, Hartati, H., Pagarra, H., & Sahribulan, S. (2025). Development of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Nanoemulsion as an Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anti-Wound Agent. Sainsmat: Scientific Journal of Natural Sciences, 14(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.35580/sainsmat141671352025

Lubis, A., Rani, Z., Dalimunthe, GI, & Sari, M. (2026). CHARACTERIZATION OF SIMPLISIA, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY TEST OF MORINGA LEAF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ( Moringa oleifera L.) CHARACTERIZATION OF SIMPLISIA, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY TEST OF MORINGA LEAF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ( Mori. 5(2), 153–163.

Manurung, BL, Monica, E., & Rollando, R. (2023). Formulation and Evaluation of Moringa Oleifer L. Leaf Antioxidants in Serum Preparations Using the DPPH Radical Compound Method. Sainsbertek Scientific Journal of Science & Technology, 3(2), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.33479/sb.v3i2.233

Nugraha, AP, Triwardhani, A., Sitalaksmi, RM, Ramadhani, NF, Luthfi, M., Ulfa, NM, & Tengku Ahmad Noor, TNE binti. (2023). Phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera nanosuspension against peri-implantitis bacteria: An in vitro study. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 13(6), 720–726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.09.004

Nurwanti, R., Syafriah, WO, Mustiqawati, E., & Ambarwati. (2023). Comparison of alpha-tocopherol levels of Moringa oleifera L. leaves as antioxidants in coastal and mountainous areas. Journal of Preventive Promotion, 6(1), 22–31.

Paramita, VD (2023). Effect of Drying Methods on Vitamin C Levels and Antioxidant Activity of Moringa oleifera Leaves Vilia Darma Paramita *). Jurnal Agritechno, 16(01), 29–35. http://agritech.unhas.ac.id/ojs/index.php/athttps://doi.org/10.20956/at.v16i1.1006

Priyanto, Y., Christijanti, W., & Marianti, A. (2023). Life Science Antioxidant Activity of Moringa Leaves ( Moringa oleifera ) in Induced Diabetic Rats © 2023 Semarang State University High glucose levels increase superoxide anion production by the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and su production. 12(1), 97–106.

Rohit, Rishi, N., Manju, K.M., Sachin, & Goel, G. (2025). TOPSIS based comprehensive evaluation of the effect of drying methods on polyphenolic contents and associated antioxidant activities of Moringa oleifera leaves. Discover Food, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00407-5

Sakhi, FM, Mahmudah, R., & Yulianti, E. (2025). Antioxidant Activity Test of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lamk.) Leaf Extract in Edible Oil. Biota: Scientific Journal of Life Sciences, 10(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.24002/biota.v10i1.9132

Samodra, G., Alfathani, NF, & Octaviani, P. (2023). Antioxidant Activity Test of Ethanol Extract of Combined Cherry Leaves (Muntingia calabura L.) and Moringa Leaves (Moringa oleifera L.) Using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrayl) Method. Pharmacon: Indonesian Pharmaceutical Journal, 20(1), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.23917/pharmacon.v20i1.22293

Soto, J.A., Gómez, A.C., Vásquez, M., Barreto, A.N., Molina, K.S., & Zuniga-Gonzalez, C.A. (2025). Biological properties of Moringa oleifera: A systematic review of the last decade. F1000Research, 13, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157194.2

Sowunmi, B.O., & Gonzo, M. (2023). The effect of Moringa oleifera crude extract on liver cell line, HepG2. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04181-8

Wang, Z., Feng, Y., Tian, Y., Yang, M., He, Y., He, Y., Wang, Y., Shi, C., & Tao, L. (2024). In vitro antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera lam. Leaf after Monascus purpureus fermentation and chemical component changes by untargeted metabolomics. Lwt, 208(August), 116723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2024.116723