Pharmaceutical activities of Phytochemicals in Murraya spp. - a review

Murraya is one of the 150 genera from the family Rutaceae. Of the 14 global species belonging to this genus, only three species i.e. Murraya koenigii, Murraya paniculata and Murraya exotica have been found in India. The plant Murraya paniculata is native to South-west Asia. The leaves have been reported to possess stimulant and astringent properties. The plant Murraya koengii is a tropical to sub-tropical tree. It is native to India and now widely distributed in most of Southern Asia. The plant has anti-inflammatory, antiamnesic, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-helminthic and anti-cancer and anti-oxidative properties. The leaf, flower and fruit extracts of Murraya exotica have been reported to show anti-bacterial effect. The main categories of phytochemicals present in Murraya spp. include carbazole alkaloids, coumarins and flavonoids. Keeping this in mind an attempt has been made to review briefly the pharmaceutical activities of phytochemicals of Murraya spp. belonging to the family Rutaceae.