Title:Protective Effects of Murraya koenigii: Focus on Antihyperlipidemic Property
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Pearl Pinto and Louis Cojandaraj*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Murraya koenigii, dyslipidemia, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, phytochemicals, pancreatic lipase, review.
Abstract: In the current scenario, discovery of natural bioactive components can be considered as a
major development in treating common ailments. One of the medicinally important herbs is Murraya
koenigii. The biological functions are promoted by the leaves, fruits, roots, and bark of this beautiful
plant. It is the carbazole alkaloids that promote most of the medicinal properties and contribute to the
anti-oxidative properties as well. Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins and Phenols isolated from different
parts of the plant have unique hypocholestrolemic and antidiabetic activities. Among commonly
used alternative therapies, plant sterols present in M. koenigii may help to reduce cholesterol and
triglyceride levels, in turn managing heart diseases. Experimental animal studies are proving the hypolipidemic
ability of M. koenigii. Possible mechanisms involved in exhibiting such an amazing hypolipidemic
ability can be attributed to the phytochemicals, some of which can reduce the absorption
of cholesterol in the intestines or accelerate the catabolism of fats. In contrast, others can inhibit the
enzyme HMG CoA reductase. M. koenigii can inhibit pancreatic lipase. Such a response could be due
to the presence of carbazole alkaloids like Mahanimbin, Isomahanine, Murrayacinine, Koenimbine,
Mahanimboline, Murrayazolinine, Girinimbine etc. These enzymes can be selected for the pharmaceutical
mediation of hypocholesterolemia agents. A triumph over the production of lipids in the
hepatic cells is achieved upon feeding M. koenigii, thereby bringing about a drastic fall in triglyceride
levels. The present review provides a better understanding of the major components of M. koenigii
against dyslipidemia that could serve as an herbal alternative while treating other pathological conditions.
Although various extracts of M. koenigii have numerous medical applications, an extensive
investigation of their toxicity, along with more clinical trials and standardization of protocols, is required
to produce modern drugs from these leaf extracts.
