PAK. J. FOOD SCI.

, 25(4), 2015: 204-215

ISSN: 2226-5899

Phytochemical profiling of curry (Murraya koenijii) leaves and its

health benefits
Syed Muhammad Nouman, Aamir Shehzad, Masood Sadiq Butt, Muhammad Issa Khan and Mahwish Tanveer
National Institute of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Corresponding author: aamir1326@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Nutraceuticals and functional foods provide a chance to attenuate different physiological threats by improving
the human health. Powerful bioactive components are responsible for antioxidant properties of herbs that help to
alleviate different metabolic disorders. Plant based products are defensive against various metabolic disorders
because of their bioactive components. Murraya Koenijii is a spicy plant that contains significant amount of
vitamin C and minerals viz., calcium, iron, potassium and sodium. Major phyto-chemicals present in curry
leaves are phenolic, carbazole alkaloids and phenols. Bioactive components in Murraya Koenijii can be
extracted by different methods i.e. solvent extraction, soxhlet extraction and hydro-distillation. Antioxidant
property of curry leaves helps to protect from high cholesterol level, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and many
other degenerative illnesses. In bakery products, replacement of wheat flour with curry leaf powder increase the
carotenoid content and extract replaces the shortening along with improvement in phytochemicals content via
lowering calories. Conclusively, the aim of this review is to explore the nutraceutical and functional aspects of
Murraya Koenijii and its utilization in baked product to mitigate the lifestyle related ailments.
Keywords: Nutraceuticals, Antioxidants, Phytochemistry, carbazole alkaloids, Hypercholesterolemia,
hyperglycemia
Introduction

The main purpose of eating food is our appetite but it
also gives nutrients which are required by the human
body. It also helps to prevent the human body from
different dietary diseases and keeps the health in
good condition (Menrad, 2003). Consumer
preference regarding food commodities has also been
changed to promote good health (Mollet and
Rowland, 2002). Changing life style has modified
basic food habits of people. Consumption of junk
food is a major trend leading towards a number of
diseases due to improper nutrition. Among them,
heart diseases are leading cause of mortality in
developing countries followed by cancer, arthritis,
diabetes and cholesterol. A good quality food has
good impact on consumer health as there is a direct
relationship between food and health. In this respect,
functional and nutraceuticals have opportunities for
food industries not only to develop novel food
products but also reduce care cost and improve
source of revenue for rural population (Das et al.,
2011).
Contemporary nutritional regime has revealed diet
as one of the primary interventions to alleviate
various metabolic syndromes for optimal health. In
reliance to the modernized concept, functional and
nutraceutical foods are gaining popularity among the
masses. There are significant evidences supporting
Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences (2015), Volume 25, Issue 4, Page(s): 204-215
the presence of bioactive moieties in fruits and
vegetables, helpful to attenuate lifestyle related
disorders. These phytomolecules exert potential
health benefits by mitigating degenerative risk factors
like cardiovascular complications, diabetes, stroke,
cancer etc. The proven facts also provide an insight
regarding balanced nutrition and disease prevention.
Thereby, functional and nutraceutical foods are
imperative due to their assuaging nature, nutritional
worth, sustainability and safe status (Aruoma et al.,
2012; Barboza et al., 2012).
Phytochemical compounds have multiple health
benefits so they are introduced in the food products to
make the food rich in the nutrients. The benefits of
phytochemicals include regulate the glucose level in
human blood (Oestmann et al., 2006). They can
decrease the blood cholesterol level (Cui et al., 2011),
and also have anti-cancer effects (Kesari et al., 2007).
Currently, lifestyle matters in a variety of ways; ease
in life, diet with less hectic preparation and to relish
palatability have adversely affected dietary pattern
thereby worsened the metabolic pathways along with
production of free radicals (Shahidi, 2009).The
antioxidant components e.g. flavonoids and
anthocyanin enhance the plasma antioxidant ability
and protects from oxidation of LDL, which in turn
provide protection from cardiovascular disease. They
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also have a link to lower the systolic pressure. Many
antioxidants prevent the lipid peroxidation (Sehmet et
al., 2011).
The herbs and spices play conspicuous role in human
nutrition and therefore can be termed as nutraceutical
(Srividya et al., 2010). Herbs and spices are important
in human life as they are good source of different
antioxidant compounds, which have therapeutic
effects against cancer and cardiovascular diseases
(Suarez et al., 2010). Spices and herbs, in addition to
contributing taste and aroma to foods, also contain a
variety of bioactive substances which are of important
for health as well as for foods. These substances act as
antioxidants, hypolipidemics and digestive stimulants.
In recent years, spice extracts have achieved a lot of
attention because they can easily be added to fats and
oils in large amounts (Rao et al., 2007).
Murraya koenigii belongs to family Rutaceae, is an
aromatic, pubescent, deciduous shrub or small tree. It
is widely distributed in south-east Asia, Australia and
the Pacific islands. In India, it occurs in wild and
cultivated forms. In India it is very popular and
medicinal plant. It has strongly aromatic leaves so
they can retain their color and flavor even after
drying. The fresh leaves of Murraya Koenejiiare a
good source of β-carotene (Rao et al., 2011). The
extract of the leaves of Murraya koenigii is thought
to be an antidiabetic agent, as a spice and condiment
in India. In tropical countries like Malaysia; it is
found to be very effective in the treatment of kidney
illness. These leaves also prevent the renal failure
(Yankuzo et al., 2011).
Curry leaves are a rich source of minor constituents,
such as Ca, K, Mg, P, along with Fe, Mn, Se and Zn,
in trace amounts. Toxic element (As, Cd, Hg and Pb)
contents were found to be below USFDA limits
(Choudhury, 2007). The mineral content of curry
leaves are: Fe 152 to 158 mg/kg, Na 795 to 800
mg/kg, Mg 14 to 18mg/kg, Mn 96 to 98 mg/kg
(Subramanian et al., 2012). According to the
proximate analysis leaves of Murraya Koenejii
consists moistures 63%, total nitrogen 1%, fat 6%,
total sugar 14%, crude fiber 7% and ash 13%
(Ganesan et al., 2013).
Bioactive compound of curry leaves have many
functional properties. The Murraya Koenijii contains
alkaloids like muconicine, mahanimbine,
koenimbine, mahanimbidine, isomahanimbine,
koenine, koenigine and koenidine which have
bioactive functions like anticancer,antidiabetic, anti-
oxidative and antiulcer. The leaves contain the free
amino acids: asparagin, glycine, serine, aspartic acid,
glutamic acid, theonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine,
tryptophan, amino butyric acid, phenylalanine,
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PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
leucine, isoleucine and traces of ornithine, lysine,
arginine and histidine. Extracts of spices, aromatic
herbs and medicinal plants are most beneficial natural
products that are widely utilized as ingredients in
food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
because of their intense flavor, medicinal and
antiseptic properties (Strehle et al., 2005).
Since last few years, prevelance of cardiovascular
disorders is increasing tremendously and it is
shooting up to alarming point not only in the
developing countries but also in the developed
countries. Antioxidant and cholesterol lowering
activities of the isolated extracts/components of
plants can
Phenolic antioxidants are very significant plant
components due to their free radical scavenging
property (Scalbert et al., 2005). Different
pharmacological experiments convincing
demonstrated antioxidants, antifungal,
hepatoprotective and anti-thrombic activities of curry
leaves (Kamleshiya et al., 2012). Curry leaves
contribute a strong promising action against
cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and obesity.
Curry leave contains significant amount of phenolic
and flavonoids compounds which are
phytoconstituents responsible for lipid lowering and
anti-obesity activities because of strong antioxidant
potential (Grover et al., 2002: Cai et al., 2004).
Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by
abnormally increased levels of lipids (triglycerides,
phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters) in
the blood. It is a major modifiable causative factor
for the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Cholesterol has aroused as a sovereign menace for
the occurrence of coronary heart diseases in the
adults and elderly population. To reduce the
incidence rate of mortality, it is homeopathically
recommended to take controlled and undergo diet
based therapy to reduce the lipid levels within the
safe range (Bhutaniet al., 2014).
A greater proportion of phenolic compounds in the
diet have been found to diminish triglyceride and
serum cholesterol quantity in rats (Biesalski et al.,
2009). In a study on hypercholestrolemic type 2
diabetics, the impact of curry leaf powder was
investigated by administrating curry leaf powder and
extract at the concentration of the results in
remarkable (P<0.01) diminution of serum total
cholesterol, LDL-cholestrol and triacylglyceride in
hypercholestrolemic patients (Yadav et al., 2002).
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Another alarming disorder, diabetes mellitus is one of
the major risk factor for the mankind around the
whole globe. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the
complicated ailments which is increasing
tremendously all around the world. The global
prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus (DMT2) is on
the rise and according to a nutritional survey by the
year 2000 the sum of individual suffering with DM II
in the whole world was estimated to reach more than
300 million by the year 2025 (Ismail et al., 2010).
Nowadays diabetes mellitus is one of the most
terrifying disarray for the mankind around the whole
globe. Medicinally, herbs and spices have been used
for the treatment of diabetes for more than 2000
years. Curry leaves is a spice which is used for the
Functional and nutraceutical foods
Among the latest intrusions, functional foods and
nutraceuticals are show high potential to improve
consumer health as well as to assuage disease risks.
Lately, scientific research has radically recommended
the use of phytochemicals as a diet based regimen to
secure the wellbeing of human health against certain
lifestyle related maladies as obesity, hyperglycemia
and hypercholesterolemia (Shahidi, 2009).
Quality nutrition is a core element for optimal health
to mitigate various physiological disorders during
different stages of life from childhood to elderly age.
The health and Nutrition paradigm has significantly
modified during the last few decades. Nowadays,
food is not merely considered as a vehicle to supply
nutrients for proper body functioning but also a
source to maintain good health. Thus, core attention
has been paid to illuminate the therapeutic role of the
diet. This has set the ideology of functional and
nutraceuticals as the food that exerts beneficial
effects beyond nutrition thereby reducing various
ailments (Hardy et al., 2000). Earlier, the US
Foundation for Innovation in Medicine introduced
the concept of nutraceuticals in 1989 as any food or a
part of it that provides health benefits including
disease prevention (Alissa & Ferns, 2012).
Hippocrates stated “Let food be your medicine and
medicine be your food”. At the moment, the
connection between diet and medicine is gaining
more appreciation. For an extended period of time,
natural products acquired chiefly from herbal sources
have been consumed as noticeable source of
protective mediators for the inhibition and remedy of
disorders in human beings (Wildman and
Kelley2007). Even though medicines cut down
human torment with time, their high curing cost
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PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
prevention of diabetes due to pharmacological
properties owing to its essential oil as it reduces the
blood glucose level. It can also ameliorate glucose
intolerance (Watal et al., 2005). By ingesting curry
leaf powder and curry leaf extract there was a clear
reduction in blood glucose level whilst is inversely
related with the insulin resistance. Curry leaves
essential oil corrects pathological and hyperglycemia
abnormalities in the diabetic rats due to its
antioxidant effect and restorative potential of redox
homeostasis mechanism, excellent recovery of
pancreatic tissue can be explained by positive effect
of curry leaves oil on the production of insulin
because of regenerative effect of the exocrine
pancreatic cells (Amin et al., 2011).
along with side effects make the nutritionists shift to
diet based therapy as an alternative.
Now “nutraceutical a day may keep the doctor away”
interchanges the old proverb “An apple a day will
keep doctor away”. Failure of pharmaceuticals urged
consumers to seek food supplements for
improvement of health (Chaturvedi et al., 2011).
However, the perception of functional food is
dissimilar from the nutraceuticals and could be
demarcated as particular food commodities that are
consumed as part of the worthwhile diet in order to
bestow specific positive influence apart from what
are known as conventional nutritional properties.
With the advent of nutraceuticals, the main focus is
to achieve an ideal state of nutrition and health has
become a challenge now (Srividya et al., 2010).
People lifestyle is changing along with poor cultural
habits have made mind of scientists and researchers
to explore out diet based therapies that are cost
effective and safe (Robert, 2007). According to IFIC
(International food info council-functional foods are
dietary components in which health benefits are
provided beyond the basic nutrition (Keservani et al.,
2010). Functional foods are also called designer
foods. Functional foods regulate biological processes
in terms of controlling and preventing diseases.
These foods should be an important part of our daily
diet as well as they should be in their natural
occurring state (Hardy, 2000).
Phytochemicals and antioxidant are two particular
categories of nutraceuticals. The term phytochemical
is related to plant chemicals. It is originated from the
Greek word, “Phyto” denoting plant. Approximately
more than 900 phytochemicals occurs in foods and 1
serving of each, either vegetable or fruit, could have
around 100 diverse phytochemicals. Bright colored
fruits and vegetables possess the most nutrients and
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phytochemicals. Antioxidants are also imperative
compounds that may be favorable in reducing chronic
diseases. They perform the defense mechanism of
body against oxidative damage and may be helpful in
averting chronic disorders as well as provide anti-
aging effects (Sivakumar et al., 2013).
Herbs and spices: an inexplicable approach
About 80% of entire world population depends upon
the plants for food as well as medicinal needs.
Different plant parts e.g. flowers, flower stems, roots,
and young shoots, young leaves can be utilized as
herbs, vegetables, spices and for many other
therapeutic purposes. In the form of dietary
supplements, these herbs can be offered in the
formula of powders and capsules which may be
different from food components/conventional foods.
Herbs and spices possess exceptional antioxidant
worth owing to the occurrence of assorted phenolic
moieties.The antioxidant assets of herbs and spices
are valuable due to oxidative amendment of low
density lipoprotein cholesterol in the buildup of
atherosclerosis. Spices are not only consumed as
flavorings agents and seasonings to enhance the
flavor, but they can also be exploited as conventional
medicines (Pal et al., 2003; Sinha, 2012).
Herbs and spices comprise traditional history with
strong characters in the cultural heritage to appreciate
food intake and its links to the health status. Herbs
and spices contain many bioactive components that
have been studied for their antioxidant activities in
different researches (Tapsell et al., 2006). Herbal
medicines also provide therapeutics for age-related
maladies like memory loss, osteoporosis, immune
disorders, etc. for which no modern medicine is
available (Kumar and Reddy, 2012). Similarly, use of
herbs and spices is also common to cure diabetes
which is known as mother of diseases. Diet is
considered as a corner stone to manage diabetes
mellitus like problems. Dietary treatment of diabetes
includes tremendous research for bioactive
components from plants for antidiabetic action.
Spices, common and natural food adjuncts are
considered as effective in this way (Donga et al.,
2011).
Curry leaf: an insight
Murraya Koenigii is a tropical to sub-tropical tree
belonging to the family Rutaceae. It is commonly
known as curry-leaf tree, is a native of India, Sri
Lanka and other Asian countries like Bhutan, Laos,
Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand (Kumar et al.,
2013). It produces the leaves also known as sweet
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PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
neem leaves. It is aromatic in nature, more or less
deciduous shrub or tree up to 6 m in height and
diameter is about 15-40 cm with short trunk. The
leaves are pinnate and 15-30 cm long, with 11-25
leaflets, each leaflet length is about 2–4 cm and
breadth is of 1–2 cm. Margins irregularly create,
petioles 2-3 mm long. Flowers of this tree are
bisexual, complete, sweetly scented, white, stalked,
regular with average diameter of fully opened flower
being in average 1.12 cm inflorescence, terminal
cymes each bearing 60-90 flowers (Saini et al.,
2013).
The useful parts of this plant are the leaves, root and
the bark. Murrya koenigii is being used as stimulant,
anti-dysentric and for the management of cholesterol
and diabetes mellitus. (Onayade and Adebajo, 2009).
Owing to its beneficial aspects it is utilized as
traditional functional food and nutraceuticals as well
as for anatomical applications such as antioxidant,
anticancer, hyperglycemic, hypercholesterolemic,
anticancer, antibacterial, antiulcer and anthelmintic
agent.
Curry leaves possess strong spicy and seasoning type
flavor. Scented and flavorful curry leaves is a popular
spice and is widely cultivated for well recognized
medicinal and culinary purpose. Culinary value of
curry leaf is related to the organoleptic properties e.g.
color, odor and flavor to its carbohydrates richness
including sugars and minerals (Shrithi et al.., 2010).
The major constituent responsible for the aroma and
flavor has been reported as pinene, sabinene,
caryophyllene, cadinol and cadinene. The leaves have
a slightly pungent, bitter and feebly acidic taste,
(Singh et al., 2009; Kale et al., 2014).
Compositional profile of curry leaf includes;
moisture 63.2%, fiber 6.8%, starch 14.6%, ash 13%,
and total sugars 18.9% and fat 6.15% (Vandana et al.,
2011). Udousoro et al. (2013) determined protein
6.1%, carbohydrates 16% and 4.4% total lipids in
curry leaves. Curry leaves owns a diverse mineral
profile. A study on curry leaves samples revealed
concentrations of Ca, K, Mg and Mn, Hg ranging as
22.9±1.05, 17.8±0.6, 67.15±3.31, 1710±70 and
17.8±0.6, correspondingly. Afterwards, Singh and
Garg (2006) estimated curry leaves minerals as Fe,
K, Hg, Mn, Na and Zn as 1920, 22.6, 133, 86.9,
1020, 89.4., respectively. Lipid composition of seeds
revealed 4.4% of total lipids of which 85.4 % neutral
lipids, 5.1 % glycolipids and 9.5 % phospho-lipids
(Jain et al., 2012). In addition, leaves are also rich in
fibers, minerals and vitamins such as calcium,
carotene, nicototinic acid and vitamin A in curry
leaves and phosphorous, calcium, iron, vitamin B2,
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niacin and vitamin C in curry leaves (Ganesan et al.,
2013). Murraya koenigii leaves contain different
phytocompounds including alkaloids, flavonoids,
furocoumarins, terpenoids and tannins. A few
bioactive compounds such as mahanimbilyl acetate,
girinimbilyl acetate and bicyclomahanimbiline have
been isolated and reported to possess antimicrobial
and antioxidant activity (Naczk and Shahidi, 2004;
Jain et al, 2012).
Leaves are rich in many bioactive compounds like
polyphenols, alkaloids and flavonoids which showed
multiple bioactive functions like antioxidant,
anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and
hepatoprotective The two carbazole alkaloids namely
mahanimbine and koenigine found in these leaves
showed higher antioxidant activities (Ganesan et al.,
2013). The root extract also associated with many
medicinal properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-
inflammatory and anti-feedant. The major group of
phytochemicals that may contribute to antioxidant
capacity of fruits include polyphenols, carotenoids,
and the traditional antioxidant vitamins such as
vitamin C and E. The fruit polyphenols are the most
important group of natural antioxidants because of
their diversity and extensive distribution, and they
possess the ability to scavenge both active oxygen
species and electrophiles (Rani et al., 2012).
The chemical composition of the essential oil from
leaves of M. Koenigii varies with variation in agro
climatic and geographical variation. Monoterpenoids
and its oxygenated derivatives are the main
constituents of essential oil. Volatile oil obtained
from flowers consists of 34.2% monoterpenoids and
43.9 % of sesquiterpenoids. Leaves constitute major
components such as cis-ocimene (34.1%), β-
caryophyllene (35.8%), α-pinene (19.1%), δ-
terpenene (6.7%) and β-phellandrene (2.55%) and
linalool (8.0%). There are some other components
include are α- caryopyllene (9.16%), cardinene
(8.40%), selinene (8.7), linalool (0.25 %), trans
ocimene (3.1%), gujunene (1.45%) which appear to
be responsible for the intense odor associated with
the stalk and flower parts of curry leaves (Nayak et
al., 2008).
In vitro studies of Murraya koenijii
Medicinal plants consists significant amount of many
antioxidants e.g. polyphenols, flavonoids etc. such
phytochemicals contribute momentous perspectives
of antioxidant potentials that are correlated with
decreased mortality rates and lower occurrences of
many human diseases. This property is due to their
redox potential that plays a vital role in neutralizing,
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ISSN: 2226-5899
absorbing free radicals, triplet oxygen, quenching
singlets as well as also in decomposition of peroxides
(Ningappa et al., 2008). Natural antioxidants can be
utilized to protect human beings from oxidative
damage stress. These naturally occurring plant
sources contain antioxidant compounds that are
considered as free radical and active oxygen
scavengers (Rani et al., 2012). Antioxidants reduce
the risk of heart disease and enhance immunity;
therefore it is imperative that it should be supplied to
body through external sources (Gupta and Singh,
2007; Maharjan & Barsal, 2008.
A research was conducted to determine total
antioxidant activity of curry leaved extract that
showed 16.20g/100 g of extraction yield from water
and 10.95g/100 g from ethanol while 21.25 micro
sighnm GAE from water and 90.00 µgGAE from
ethanol. Water and ethanolic extract of curry leave
showed 91.6 and 98.6% lipid peroxidation inhibition
while alpha tocopherol, BHA and BHT exhibited
36.9, 94 and 976% inhibition of lipid peroxidation
respectively. Ethanloic and water extract of curry
leaved exhibits very effective antioxidant activity at
all concentration but it increases with increasing
concentration of sample (Kamarul et al., 2003).
Free radical scavenging potential of curry leaf
extracts was determined by DPPH assay. It was
increased with increasing con of curry leaves extract.
Ethanol and essential oil of curry leaves showed
excellent free radical scavenging potential with IC50
of 23.61-26.75 and 32.32 microg/ml, respectively.
IC50 is concentration of extract which provides 50%
inhibition. Free radical scavenging activity of
ethanolic extract of curry leaves was greater than
essential oil. 80% extracts of methanol and ethanol
showed more free radical scavenging potential as
compare to absolute methanol and ethanol extracts
(Sivakumar et al., 2013). Antioxidant potential of
phenolic components plays a significant role for
stability of food products and antioxidant defense
mechanisms of the biological systems. As the
alcoholic extract shows ability to lower ferric ions to
ferrous ions as noticed in the FRAP assay which is
considered as an excellent actions of antioxidants.
Certain lifestyle related metabolic disorders
Each ethnic group has its own food cultures and food
habits. These traditional habits have been adopted
and influenced through contact with mainstream
culture. Nowadays people are more attracted towards
using fast foods due to inadequate food habit that are
the main cause of many ill health effects (Kulkarni et
al., 2004). In developing world, industrialized
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countries are at greater risks of diseases such as
overweight and cardio vascular problems have
become potential cause of disability and death among
population of developing countries (Jafar et al.,
2006). The mortality rate of about 200,000 people
around the world is due to obesity caused by diabetes
every year. Obesity is chronic, costly and stigmatized
disease that is rarely curable. It is noticed that about
13% children and 14% adolescents in age of 6 to 8
are overweight and 28% adults are obese and 61%
are overweight (Vasudeva et al., 2012).
Obesity is a state in which concentration of lipid
storing adipose tissue increase. It possess potential
risks on life related diseases e.g. coronary heart
problems, glucose intolerance, hypertension,
dyslipidemia, diabetes and some types of cancers.
Certain factors like lack of exercise, consumption of
energy rich foods and sedentary lifestyle are
contributive to etiology of obesity. Other
complications e.g. hypertension, hyperandrogenism
in women, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and
hyperlipidemia are related to upper body fat or intra-
abdominal fat than overall fat adiposity. BMI range is
between 25 and 30 can be considered as worthy of
therapeutic intervention and medically significant
especially in presence of certain risk factors e.g.
glucose intolerance and hypertension that can be
cause by adiposity. An efficient and urgent safe
remedy is needed to control obesity (George and
Nimmi, 2011).
Diabetes Mellitus is a class of metabolic disorders
that comes from insulin defective actions, insulin
secretions and often characterized by hyperglycemia.
It has become one of most aggressively spreading
lifestyle diseases. Diabetic patients are rest increase
risks of peripheral arterial, atherosclerosis
cardiovascular and cerebro vascular disease.
Abnormal lipoprotein metabolism and hypertension
are more common in the diabetic patients. Majority
of diabetic cases comes under two broad and major
pathogenic cases. First is type 1 diabetes with
destruction of beta cells that lead to absolute
deficiency of insulin A and also called as immune-
mediated diabetes and the second is type 2 diabetes
with the combination of insulin resistance action and
an improper compensatory response of the insulin
secretion (Joseph et al., 2011) type 1 diabetes was
previously encompassed by many terms e.g. juvenile
onset diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes that comes
from cellular mediated auto-immune destruction of
pancreatic b-cells. Auto-immune beta cells
destruction has many multiple and genetic pre-
dispositions but some time it is linked to
environmental factors (Amartya et al., 2012).
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ISSN: 2226-5899
Type-2 diabetes is accountable for 90-95% in the
individuals with diabetes best known as non-insulin-
dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. It
includes those individuals with insulin resistance as
they have relative deficiency of insulin. Throughout
their life, these patients do not require treatment of
insulin for survival initially. Type 2 diabetic patients
are usually obese but obesity itself results into insulin
resistance to some degree. For many years, this type
of diabetes usually goes undiagnosed as
hyperglycemia gradually develops. At early phases it
is not serious enough for any patient to observe any
classic symptoms of the diabetes. These patients are
at greater risks of macro vascular and microvascular
complications. In these patients secretions of insulin
is defective and quite insufficient to compensate
resistance of insulin. This resistance can be improved
by the pharmacological treatment of hyperglycemia
as well as weight reduction but it is often restored to
normal. It is more common in the women with pre-
gestational diabetes mellitus and among individuals
with hypertension and dyslipidemia (Sudha et al.,
2013). Type 2 diabetes genetics are complicated and
not fully defined. Its frequency varies within different
ethnic and different subracial groups (Sato et al.,
2009). Control of blood sugar level is very crucial to
cure diabetes. Herbal medicinal plants can be used to
lower blood sugar level and for treatment of insulin
resistance in diabetic patients (Babu et al., 2012).
Hyperglycemic aspects of curry leaves
The change in the dietary style and low physical
activity generate many lifestyle related disorders like
blood pressure, obesity, CVD and many others.
Among these diabetes mellitus is rapidly growing
health complication and one of the foremost reason
of casualties in the world. In a survey it has been
estimated that if this disease remain increasing with
the current rate then in 2030 it will harm about 367
million peoples worldwide. It is a persistent
metabolic disorder occurs in result of lower
physiological activity and high caloric intake (Eckel
et al., 2005).
In diabetes, chronic stage of hyperglycemia is related
with long term damages, failure of any different
organ e.g. kidneys, heart, blood vessels, eyes and
nerves. Some pathogenic pathways include in the
development of diabetes. In diabetes, the basic
abnormalities in fat, protein complex processes of
hormonal actions, inadequate secretion of insulin or
diminished response of insulin to tissues at one or
more than one points cause insufficient insulin
actions. Chronic hyperglycemia can be accompanied
by susceptibility to many certain infections and
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impaired growth. Uncontrolled diabetes results into
acute and life threatening consequences e.g.
hyperglycemia with non ketotic and keto acidosis
hypersmolar syndrome. An adequate glycemic
control can be attained with exercise, oral glucose
lowering components with proper glycemic control
and weight reduction. Therefore, such individuals
don’t need insulin. However, other individuals who
have some residual insulin secretions can survive
without it as they take exogenous insulin to fight
against extensive beta cells destruction for adequate
control of glycemic index (Metzger et al., 2010).
According to a research administration of curry leaf
in alloxan induced diabetic rats helps to improve
protein contents in the renal tubules of kidney in
comparison to rats subjected to alloxan only. As an
effective antioxidant curry leaves can protect SH-
group of metalothionine and other proteins to prevent
oxidation. When rats are treated with curry leaf
extracts, it causes to increase amount of ribosomes in
rough ER in the cells that reflect their ability to
synthesize proteins (Lawal et al., 2008). In vivo study
suggested that antioxidant component of curry leaf
have the potential to decrease protein damages in
tissues because curry leaf have high protein contains
that are effective to improve pancreatic and kidney
cell dysfunction produced by alloxan (Sierens et al.,
2001).
Hypoholesterolemic aspects of curry leaf
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is present virtually in
all cell membrane of body cells. Its main function in
body is not only to provide cell integrity but also
facilitates in transportation of phospholipids,
synthesis of aldosterone, cortisol and secretion of
hormones. However it should be in narrow limit as its
deviation from normal range is life threatening. In
body, there are two carrier proteins for transportation
of cholesterol: low density proteins (LDL) and high
density protein (HDL), each one has its own specific
job (Onder et al., 2003).
LDL “referred as bad cholesterol” is primary carrier
of cholesterol in blood. In atherosclerosis, LDL tends
to accumulate into endothelial cells that lines inner
walls of blood vessels and deposits in arteries.
Further oxidation of LDL by free radicals modifies
deposits structure that causes foaming and leads
towards a hard plaque formation. This prevents flow
of blood as well as oxygen to heart, brain and other
organ due to which risk of heart attack and stroke
increases that alleviates rate of mortality due to
cardiovascular diseases (Brescianini et al., 2003).
Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences (2015), Volume 25, Issue 4, Page(s): 204-215
PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
On the other hand, HDL that is called as “good
quality cholesterol” helps to remove excess
cholesterol from atherosclerotic deposit and prevents
plaque formation thus minimizing chances for
cardiovascular disorders among person with high
HDL level (Brown et al., 2004). Out of total body
cholesterol 80% is produced within body by liver
cells while 20% comes from dietary sources. Two
key enzymes are of prime importance: HMG-CoA (3-
hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase;
the rate limiting enzyme engaged in cholesterol
biosynthesis and other ACAT (acyl CoA: cholesterol
O-acyltransferase) which participates in esterification
of cholesterol in body tissues. Unfortunately,
changing lifestyle and dietary trends modified body
enzyme system that has increased risk of heart
diseases and atherosclerosis (Bok et al., 1999).
Recent advances in medical research have triggered
health expertise to suggest various drugs to normalize
body cholesterol level. Various HMG CoA reductase
inhibitors are being utilized in hypocholesterolemic
drugs that are effective both for animal and human
such as statins. They facilitate in removing
circulatory LDL by inhibiting activities of HMG CoA
reductase thus reducing cholesterol synthesis by liver.
ACAT inhibitors are used as cholesterol lowering and
anti-atherosclerotic agents in pharmaceutical
products (Garg et al., 2012).
Statins (lovastatin) have been used as LDL
cholesterol lowering drug but they have side effects if
used for long time. Similarly, chronic use of statins
for a long time also causes liver dysfunctioning
(Bermudez and Ridker, 2002; Chang et al., 2004).
There is a need to identify natural sources that are not
only having therapeutic effects against
hypercholesterolemia but also are cost effective,
safer, non-toxic and readily available. It has been
reported that bioflavonoids from plant sources are
effectual against life threatening diseases such as
cancer, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Among them
curry leaf powder and extract are of crucial
importance due to its wide biological spectrum.
Epidemiological studies revealed that curry leaves
contains high level of antioxidants and help to reduce
risks of cardiovascular problems by showing
hypolipidmic and anti-atherogenic potential.
Ethanolic extracts of Murraya Koenijii shows very
high antioxidant potential which contribute to
potential probabilities of this plant to be used for
therapeutic purpose for the treatment of
hypercholestrolemia (Cosge et al., 2008). Phenolic
compounds, flavonoids with linolenic acid, oleic acid
and palmitic acid are the contributive towards
210

beneficial effect against artherosclerosis (Singh and
Jialal, 2006).
In a research work, ethnolic extract of curry leaf was
investigated to check the effect on plasma lipoid
metabolism and liver for histopathologoical study in
mice. This treatment resulted I significance decrease
in plasma lipid level. After 24 hours of treatment
total plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
triglycerides and Apo-lipo-protien B was decreased
by 35, 50, 50 and 60% respectively. For
histopathological studies it was revealed that
ethanolic extract of curry leaf mitigate triglycerides
deposition in fatty liver and facilitate flow of blood in
coronary arteries by reducing serum and liver lipids.
Overproduction of lipoproteins leads to the problem
of lipoprotein metabolism called as dyslipidemia
which is caused by elevation of total serum
cholesterols, LDL cholesterols, triglycerides and
lower level of HDL cholesterols. A research
experiment revealed that animals fed with high fat
diet significantly increased their fat pad weight and
organ wt. When the animals were administrated with
extract of curry leaf, it restricted disturbance in HDL
triglycerides and HDL as well as body and fat pad
weights (Garg et al., 2012).
Health claims of curry leaf and its extract
Risk potentials of synthetic food additives have
changed interests, concerns and awareness of
consumers. As a result, herbal and healthy
nutraceutical market is gaining more attention to
offer functional efficacy (Prabu et al.,
2015).Metabolic syndrome which is characterized by
visceral obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and
hypertension has been progressively rising over the
last few decades and has become a major public
health trial across the world (Alberti et al., 2005).
High consumption of natural foods e.g. herbs, spices,
fruits and vegetables have been reported to mitigate
risks of many serious health effects. Murraya
Koenijii leaves contain many phytochemical
compounds that stimulate significant detoxification
process in body to eliminate risk strengthen and
stimulate body’s immune system. Herbs have
numerous free radical scavenging properties that
assist to lower blood cholesterol along with sugar
level. Thousands of herbs are known to possess
therapeutic values around globe but >1% have been
studied and many of them remain to be discovered
(Heema et al., 2011).
Whole plants, leaves and root barks of curry leaves
are antiemetic, stomachic and tonic; green leaves;
infusion used as anti-diarrheal, anti-dysenteric and
Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences (2015), Volume 25, Issue 4, Page(s): 204-215
PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
antiemetic; bruised and applied locally to eruption
and poisonous bites; root-bark; relieves renal pain.
Curry leaves play an important role in the treatment
of wounds, burns, intestinal problems, coughs and
general torpor. Use of traditional remedies and plants
in the treatment of burns and wounds is an important
aspect of health management and is also an efficient
way to promote cheaper healthcare options. Removal
and prevention of infection is essential for rapid and
effective wound healing (Nagappan et al., 2012).
Ganesan et al, (2013) reported that these are also
used in the treatment of various diseases includes
diabetes mellitus, body pain, inflammation, and
vomiting and kidney pain. It has potential to act as it
has anti-emetics, antidiarrheal, febrifuge, antifungal,
blood purifier, depressant, anti-inflammatory, for
kidney pain and vomiting when used as whole or as a
part. Singh et al, (2012) reported that curry leaves are
also used in calcium deficiency. It has Vitamin A,
Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Calcium and iron
in plenty. , it is implicated in the treatment of several
ailments including traumatic injury, diabetes,
jaundice, and dysentery. The leaves of this plant have
antidiabetic, anti lipidemic and antioxidant effect.
Different parts of Murraya Koenigii have been used
in traditional Ayurveda medicine for the treatment of
cough, hypertension, hysteria, hepatitis, rheumatism,
poisonous bites, and skin eruptions. In addition, curry
leaf has been found to have antitumor, anti-
inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic
effects (Ghasemzadeh et al., 2014). The extract of
curry leaves contains carbazole alkaloids which have
various pharmacological activities such as anti-
oxidant activities, diuretic, anti-tumor, anti-
inflammatory, anti-convulsant, and anti-viral. The
curry leaves have been known to promote appetite
and digestion and have been popularly used as
stomachic, purgative, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory
and carminative (Ramaswamy et al., 2012).
Diabetic retinopathy or vision loss from diabetes can
occur when the level of glucose is too high that
elevates the level of sorbitol. Elevated sorbitol traps
in the cells of retina that damage nerves to cause
cataracts n eventually loss of vision. Diabetic
retinopathy is categorized into (NDPR) non-
proliferative diabetic retinopathy and (PDR)
proliferative diabetic retinopathy which is
characterized by the proliferation of novel blood
vessels. NPDR is further classified into mild,
moderate and severe stages that may or may not
include macula diabetic macular oedema (DMO)
development. Common causes of serious visual
impairments are DMO and PDR. About all patients
with diabetes Type 1 n more than 60% patients with
211

diabetes 2 may have retinopathy by first decade of
the incidence of diabetes (Tarr et al., 2013).
Medicinal plants can be used to treat patients with
diabetic retinopathy as 80% of entire world
population depends on traditional medicines.
Carbazole alkaloids such as Isomahanine,
Mahanimboline and Mahanimbinine were found to
be very effective against diabetes (Shruti et al.,
2012). Kumar et al., (2014) stated that extracts of
Murraya koenigii provide protection to pancreatic
beta cell and functional pancreatic islets that produce
insulin. This was evident by the normalization of
plasma insulin and C-peptide levels, indicating
endogenous insulin secretion. Additionally, extracts
of Murrya koenigii increased the levels of glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme, normalized
hepatic and muscle glycogenesis, resulting in proper
glucose utilization. The levels of post-prandial
hyperglycemia were also reduced due to the
pancreatic and intestinal glucosidase inhibitory
activity of the extracts of Murrya koenigii.
CONCLUSION
Diet based therapies have recently been introduced
throughout the world owing to positive physiological
impacts on human body. Functional
foods/nutraceuticals commonly known as dietary
therapies are most effective, safe & economical with
respect to present scenario of sedentary lifestyle, poor
eating habits and higher medicinal cost. Moreover,
nutraceutical and functional foods have captured
considerable attention both in developed as well as in
developing countries attributed to cardio-protective,
antidiabetic and neuroprotective health effects. In
addition, scientific facts support the concept of
functional foods and/or nutraceuticals that have
encouraging influence on physical condition and
healthiness, beyond the provision of fundamental
dietary requirements. In this perspective, curry leaf is
a spice belonging to family Rotaceae. Curry leaf is
rich with antioxidant components e.g. phenolic
contents and flavonoids that enhance the plasma
antioxidant ability and protection from oxidation of
LDL, which in turn provide protection from
cardiovascular diseases. They also have a link to
lower the systolic pressure. Many antioxidants
prevent the lipid peroxidation. Numerous literature
has been depicted have revealed that Murraya
Koenijii leaves and extract has great potential to
mitigate metabolic syndromes. Murraya koenigii thus
seems to be a promising plant with respect to its
hypoglycemic effect and hycholestrolemic effect may
be prescribed as adjunct to dietary therapy and drug
treatment for controlling diabetes mellitus and
Pakistan Journal of Food Sciences (2015), Volume 25, Issue 4, Page(s): 204-215
PAK. J. FOOD SCI., 25(4), 2015: 204-215
ISSN: 2226-5899
cardiovascular diseases have the hypocholesterolemic
potential that affects the serum lipid profile by
increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) and
decreasing low density lipoprotein (LDL), total
cholesterol and triglycerides.
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