Moringa, a versatile tree species, has seen an increasing diversification of breeding objectives due to its rich nutritional value and potential applications in ecological restoration. The emergence and integration of multi-omics technologies have provided a revolutionary systems-level research framework for elucidating the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying Moringa’s agronomic traits and nutritional characteristics. This review systematically analyzes the application prospects and omics significance of Moringa based on research trends, and explores in depth the progress made in various omics studies of Moringa: the fourth iteration of the genome has identified specific genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs) in Moringa; phenomics reveals differential expression of Moringa under different environmental conditions; and the transcriptomics and metabolomics elucidate differential regulatory networks across different tissues and environments. In the future, multi-omics technologies can be integrated: genomics can further identify rare alleles and localize genetic loci for key agronomic traits; transcriptomics combined with epigenomics can elucidate the spatial regulation of gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms; and proteomics and metabolomics can be integrated to validate pathways and provide targets for improvement. Throughout the process, a high-throughput phenotyping platform utilizing drones will be introduced to dynamically monitor agronomic traits, enabling efficient breeding and accelerating genetic improvement.

Moringa oleifera stem and leaf (MOSL) represent a cost-effective unconventional feed resource, characterized by abundant crude protein, balanced amino acid profile, functional dietary fiber, and various bioactive substances, with a metabolizable energy level suitable for poultry feeding. This study systematically evaluated the nutritional value of MOSL and its feeding effects and underlying mechanisms in growing meat ducks. In Trial 1, the metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility of MOSL in Muscovy ducks were determined using the force-feeding method. The results showed that the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and true metabolizable energy (TME) of MOSL were 10.45 MJ/kg and 10.98 MJ/kg, respectively, with the true digestibility of methionine, lysine, and threonine reaching 79.80%, 79.98%, and 78.83%, respectively. For the 49-day feeding trial (Trial 2), a total of 150 clinically healthy 21 d male Muscovy ducks with uniform initial body weight (491.11 ± 30.41 g) were selected and randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatment groups, with 6 replicates per group and 5 ducks in each replicate. Ducks in each group were fed a basal diet supplemented with graded levels of MOSL at 0 (control, CON), 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%, respectively. The results showed that MOSL supplementation had no significant effect on the average daily feed intake (ADFI; P = 0.133) of ducks. However, dietary 6% and 9% MOSL inclusion significantly increased average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.041), reduced feed-to-gain ratio (F/G; P = 0.024). Relative to the control group, ducks in the 6% and 9% MOSL groups exhibited significantly higher apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP; P = 0.019) and crude fiber (CF; P = 0.007), notably enhanced digestive enzyme activities in both the pancreas and jejunum (P < 0.05), significantly reduced jejunal crypt depth (CD; P = 0.003), and elevated the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH/CD; P < 0.001). MOSL supplementation significantly increased serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity (P = 0.025), decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P = 0.015). 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that 9% MOSL significantly enriched fiber-degrading bacteria, including Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Prevotellaceae, and Butyricicoccaceae, while inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Untargeted metabolomics analysis indicated that 9% MOSL supplementation reduced the accumulation of free amino acids and peptides in the intestine, upregulated bioactive compounds. In summary, this study is the first to systematically construct a nutritional value system for MOSL in meat ducks. MOSL enhances front-end nutrient digestion and absorption by increasing digestive enzyme activity and optimizing intestinal morphology, while strengthening hindgut crude fiber utilization by regulating gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. These synergistic effects comprehensively improve energy and protein utilization efficiency, enhance antioxidant capacity and metabolic homeostasis, and thus systematically improve the growth performance of meat ducks. The optimal dietary inclusion level of MOSL for growing meat ducks is 9%, which provides a scientific basis for the commercial application of MOSL in duck production

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a tropical tree whose leaves and stems have long been used in South Asian and African traditional medicine for infectious and inflammatory disorders. These tissues contain a diverse array of secondary metabolites, chiefly flavonoids, phenolic acids, isothiocyanates, sterols, and peptides, and exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Their anti-inflammatory effects have been attributed to the suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and activation of the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) antioxidant axis. This review synthesizes the phytochemistry of Moringa leaves and stems and critically evaluates current evidence for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, molecular targets, and potential crosstalk between the two. We further discuss extraction methods, structure–activity relationships, pharmacokinetics, safety, and applications spanning medicine, animal production, food preservation, and cosmetics. The evidence base is heterogeneous owing to variation in plant origin, extraction protocols, bacterial strains, and assay design; mechanistic and dosing data specific to leaves and stems remain preliminary. Across reports, leaf and stem extracts inhibit common Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens at MICs mostly in the approximate 0.2–4 mg/mL range, and isolated flavonoids and glucosinolate isothiocyanates act on bacterial membranes and quorum sensing and on host NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling; however, no study has formally quantified antibacterial–anti-inflammatory synergy within one assay system. Key gaps include standardized preparations, direct tests of antibacterial–anti-inflammatory synergy, systematic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and long-term safety studies, and high-quality clinical trials.