Phenolic, Flavonoids Content, Antioxidant Potential of Murraya koenigii L.
(Curry Leave): in vitro and in vivo Protective Effects

In the current investigation, the proximate value, total phenolic content, toal flavonoid content,
antioxidant potential and in vitro and in vivo protective effects of Murraya koenigii L. (curry leave)
extracts were carried out. Flavonoids, phenols and alkaloids were recorded in ethanol, methanol, ethyl
acetate, petroleum ether, benzene and acetone extracts. A higher level of total phenolic content was
recorded in ethanolic fraction followed by benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, petroleum ether and
acetone fractions. The total flavonoids content was recorded in the range of 5.12 mg RE g−1 to 9.24 mg
RE g−1. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity was estimated in all
the solvent fractions at the concentration ranging from 312.5 μg mL-1 to 5000 μg mL−1. Percentage
inhibition was recorded in the range of 39.40 to 72.32. To study the antimutagenic property, the plate
incorporation method was used to see the effects of the MKLE fraction on S. typhimurium trains TA
1537, TA 1535, TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 both in the absence and presence of S9 mix (5% v/v).
Higher antimutagenic property at a concentration of 5000 μg/plate with 2-nitrofluorene 7.5 μg/plate was
observed against TA 98. In vivo study indicates the protective effects of the extract of the MKLE
against chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in brain and lungs of the experimental rats. Four animal groups
5 male and 5 females were selected, group I serve as a control, group II was given a single dose of
MKLE as such for 28 consecutive days while group III was treated with chlorpyrifos at the dose level
of 60 mg/kg B.wt and group IV was dosed with chlorpyrifos at the dose level of 60 mg/kg B.wt
simultaneously treated with the MKLE as such twice in a day (B.D.). Chlorpyrifos administration
(group III) to the rats resulted in reduced body weight. decrease Ache level increases, SGOT, SGPT,
ALP were observed while no significant alterations were noticed in any parameter in the II group
animals, Histopathology of brain and lung of the chlorpyrifos treated animals shows the cellular deficit
in the brain tissue and mild congestion in the lung tissue. The present study concluded that curry
leaves are a rich source of phenolic, alkaloids, flavonoids and exhibit antioxidant and antimutagenic
activity and appeared to be beneficial to rats to a great extent in attenuating and resulting in the
damage sustained by chlorpyrifos exposure.