PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, ELEMENTAL CONTENT, AND FIBROBLAST PROLIFERATION ACTIVITY OF THE HYDRO-ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM LEAVES

Moringa oleifera is one plant that is multi-purposefully used for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. This study analyzed the phytochemical and elemental contents of M. oleifera leaf extract, and evaluated its effect on fibroblast proliferation, which is crucial for wound healing. M. oleifera leaf samples were collected, identified, and extracted using solvents of different polarities. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) were employed to analyze the phytochemical composition, while inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine the elemental content. The effect of the hydroethanolic extract was investigated on proliferation of Hs27 fibroblast skin cells by the MTT assay. Water extraction yielded the highest extract of 13.0±3% w/w, while petroleum ether extraction yielded the least of 3.03±0.8% w/w. HPTLC fingerprinting of the 50% hydroethanolic extract identified bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenol carboxylic acids fatty acids, and sterols. UPLC analysis confirmed the presence of rutin and kaempferol in the extract. Elemental analysis showed a high concentration of Ca, K, Br, Mg, and P and the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals. Furthermore, the extract exhibited significant fibroblast proliferation activity at concentration of 0.1 – 1 µg/mL. The presence of bioactive compounds and essential elements in M. oleifera along with the evaluation of Hs27 fibroblast proliferation, highlights its possible role in enhancing wound healing and possible therapeutic applications. The documented fingerprints are also essential for quality control.