Antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera: A short review

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Family Moringaceae) is well – known for its various medicinal properties. It grows wild in the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In Nigeria, Moringa oleifera trees are planted at a large scale especially in the northern part of the country. It has been widely used in the treatment of certain diseases as a traditional medicinal herb. Antimicrobial activity is the most studied property of Moringa oleifera. Many studies have shown that nearly all types of Moringa oleifera tissues exhibit antimicrobial activity including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti parasitic property. This review describes progress on research conducted to understand the antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera and discusses the potential use of Moringa oleifera in the control of pathogenic microbes.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity; Moringa oleifera; pathogenic microbes, control.