Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng: an ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological review

Medicinal plants have been used in traditional healthcare system throughout human history and are considered as a source of healthy human life. Different parts of the plants like roots, leaves, stem, bark, fruits and seeds have been used in combating infection and strengthening the immune system. Murraya koenigii is a potential medicinal plant highly valued for its characteristic aroma and bioactive compounds. It belongs to family Rutaceae which represent more than 150 genera and 1600 species. Murraya koenigii has diverse role in traditional medicine and is known for its stomachic properties. The leaves and roots in different forms have great therapeutic potential and is used for the treatment of night blindness, dysentery, diarrhoea, vomiting, bites of poisonous animals, bruises and eruption. Leaves are often used in curries for flavouring and seasoning due to their aromatic nature. They are generally called by the name "curry leaves" and are an important export commodity from India and fetches good foreign revenue. The plant is a rich source of carbazole alkaloids. Phytocompounds like koenimbine, koenine, mahanimbine, murrayazolidine, murrayazoline, murrayacine, girinimbine, mukoeic acid, etc. have also been isolated and characterized. These bioactive compounds possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective and antitumor properties. The present review incorporates the description of M. koenigii, its ethnobotany, phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities of crude extracts, fractions and isolated comopounds which could lead to development of viable drugs for the treatment of variety of ailments.