DNA-binding property and FT-IR spectroscopic characterization of SC-CO2 extracts from leaves, seeds, and roots of Moringa oleifera Lam.

A total of nine SC-CO2 extracts were obtained from leaves, seeds, and roots of Moringa oleifera Lam. at 10 MPa, 20 MPa, and 30 MPa atmospheric pressures. Extracts were screened for its binding behavior towards DNA by two-dimensional TLC analysis in solvent system of toluene and ethyl acetate (9.3:0.7 mL v/v). All extracts showed DNA binding properties except the leaf extracts at 30 MPa where the computed Rf ratio-value was 1.023 only those with Rf ratio <1.0 has DNA binding affinity based on published reports. The extracts from seeds and roots at 10 MPa and seeds at 20 MPa showed moderate to strong DNA affinity with Rf ratio-values of 0.647, 0.789, and 0.818 respectively. The FT-IR characterization of all the extracts showed almost the same spectra with identical absorption bands that presumably belonging to fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, erucic which dominate significantly. The results of the study serve as a basis for further exploration on the pharmaceutical potential of M. oleifera particularly that of its seeds and roots.