Assessment of Nicotine Levels, Viscosity, and Density Properties of Nicotine Solution After Exposure to Moringa oleifera Ethanol Extract

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, commonly referred to as the "drumstick tree" or "miracle tree," is renowned for its rich nutritional content and therapeutic properties. Nevertheless, its effects on nicotine metabolism and toxicity have not been extensively studied. This study investigated the interaction between Moringa oleifera extract and nicotine by assessing changes in nicotine concentration, density, viscosity, and chemical structure through laboratory techniques including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that Moringa oleifera extract significantly decreased nicotine concentrations. The most significant effect was observed at a 2% extract concentration after 24 hours, resulting in a 34.77% reduction (p = 0.010). Furthermore, both the density and viscosity of the nicotine solution decreased upon exposure to the extract. The greatest changes were recorded at the 2% concentration after 24 hours, with density decreasing by 1.28% and viscosity by 1.68% (p = 0.01 and p = 0.021, respectively). These physical changes indicate that bioactive compounds in Moringa oleifera, including polyphenols, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, and isothiocyanates, play a role in reducing nicotine levels. The underlying mechanisms may involve molecular binding, oxidation, and detoxification processes that transform nicotine into inactive metabolites such as cotinine, thereby promoting its elimination from the body. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of these compounds may safeguard tissues against oxidative damage caused by nicotine. These findings highlight the potential of Moringa oleifera as a natural agent for nicotine detoxification and underscore the need for further research into its therapeutic applications.