Muscat –  A study conducted at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has examined the potential of moringa leaves as a natural agent in combating cancer cells, highlighting the plant’s possible therapeutic role.

The research was led by Dr Shadia bint Mohammed al Bahlani from SQU’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences and involved a multidisciplinary team from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, in collaboration with private sector companies.

The study focused on understanding how moringa leaf extract affects programmed cancer cell death, known as apoptosis, an area that has remained unclear despite extensive research on the plant’s medicinal properties.

Researchers investigated the impact of moringa leaf extract on breast, ovarian and gastric cancer cells, assessing both its cytotoxic effects and its ability to induce apoptosis. The team included Dr Eithaar al Barwani, Dr Samiya al Jaaidi, Dr Jamal al Sabahi and Dr Azzah al Hashmi.

Preliminary findings showed that higher concentrations of moringa leaf extract led to a significant reduction in cancer cell viability and limited the cells’ ability to form colonies. Gastric cancer cells demonstrated a stronger response and greater sensitivity to the extract compared with breast and ovarian cancer cells.

While the concentration required to inhibit 50% of cell growth varied across cancer types, the results indicated a consistent trend supporting moringa’s potential anti-cancer properties.

The researchers said the findings suggest that moringa leaf extract may inhibit cancer cell proliferation and trigger programmed cell death. They stressed, however, that further laboratory studies and animal experiments are needed to confirm the results and to assess its effects on other types of cancer.