Curry leaf is used as a flavoring agent and traditional medicine in India. Recent scientific observations in the laboratory showed that it contained phytochemicals which are beneficial for health.

1. SPICE AS MEDICINE:
CURRY LEAF
MURRAYA KOENIGII
By
Kevin KF Ng, MD, PhD.
Former Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Clinical Pharmacology
University of Miami, Miami, FL., USA
Email: kevinng68@gmail.com
A Slide Presentation for HealthCare Providers April 2022

2. Presentation Outline
▪ What is curry leaf?
▪ History
▪ World production
▪ Scientific classification
▪ Nutrient composition
▪ Phytochemicals
▪ Pharmacology
▪ Clinical studies
▪ Summary

3. Curry Leaf
“Curry leaf” refers to a tree or a leaf with
fragrance, flavor and health benefits
Curry Leaf Plant
or

4. What is a curry tree
▪ The curry tree (Murraya koenigii), is a small tropical tree found in hot climates,
▪ It is a native plant of India and totally unrelated to curry powder.
▪ Curry leaves are glossy, pointy, almond-shaped pinnate leaves with a sweet and
pungent fragrance.

5. • HISTORY
• WORLD & US PRODUCTION

6. Origin of curry leaf and its scientific name
▪ Curry leaf tree is native to India.
▪ The plant spreads to Malaysia, South Africa and Reunion Island
▪ The botanical name of the curry leaves is Murraya koenigii .
▪ The genus Murray commemorates Swedish physician and botanist
Johann Andreas Murray.
▪ The species name commemorates the German missionary and
botanist Johann Gerhad Koenig
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340234052

7. Diversity and Distribution of Curry Leaf in India

8. Regions where curry leaf plant is cultivated
• India
• Sri Lanka
• Burma
• Malaysia
• South Africa
o

9. USDA Hardiness Zones for curry leaf plant 8-12
https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/USDA-Hardiness_Zone

10. • CLASSIFICATION
• SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

11. Scientific classification of Curry Leaf Tree
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry_tree

12. Three types of curry leaf trees:
▪ There are three types of curry leaf trees:
▪ regular
▪ dwarf
▪ gamthi.
▪ The regular type grows fast and is tall.
https://www.bhatia-nurseries.com/curry.htm

13. Number of articles on “Curry Leaf, Murraya Koenigii “ in PubMed
from 1965 to 2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=curry+leaf

14. • NUTRIENT COMPOSITION
• PHYTOCHEMICALS
• EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

15. Chemical composition of curry leaf
(number of chemicals)
34

16. Nutrient composition of curry leaves
https://drlogy.com/food-facts/herbs/curry-leaves-11-impressive-health-benefits-intresting-facts
Macronutrients Micronutrient: Vitamins Micronutrient: Minerals
•
• •

17. Solvents used in the extractions of phytochemicals
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340234052_Curry_
Leaf_Murraya_koenigii_The_Story_of_Potential_Miracle_Plant

18. Phytochemicals extracted by different solvents
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340234052_Curry_
Leaf_Murraya_koenigii_The_Story_of_Potential_Miracle_Plant

19. Phytochemical composition (in mg per 100 g) of
Murraya Koenigii leaves
▪ Alkaloids (1.90 ± 0.01)
▪ Flavonoids (7.43 ± 0.03)
▪ Glycosides (0.11 ± 0.01)
▪ Phenols (4.25 ± 0.04)
▪ Saponins (2.50 ± 0.01)
▪ Tannins (0.86 ± 0.02)
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/2/188/htm

20. Number of Phytochemicals in Murraya Koenigii
▪ Alkaloids (53)
▪ Flavonoids (9)
▪ Terpenoids (12)
▪ Polyphenols (2)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/table/antioxidants-09-00101-t001/?report=objectonly

21. The major alkaloids of Murraya koenigii
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/#:~:text=koenigii%
20have%20been%20accredited%20to,different%20parts%20of%20the%20M.

22. The concentrations of TF (Total flavonoid) and some flavonoid
compounds from curry leaf in three locations. (2014)
All analyses are the mean of triplicate measurements ± standard deviation. Results expressed
in mg/g DW. Means not sharing a common letter were significantly different at P ≤ 0.05.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC394780
8/#:~:text=The%20results%20showed%20that%20myri
cetin,0.040%20mg%2Fg%20DW).

23. The concentrations of TP (Total phenolics) and some phenolic
acids from curry leaf in three locations. (2014)
All analyses are the mean of triplicate measurements ± standard deviation. Results
are expressed in mg/g DW. Means not sharing a common letter were significantly
different at P ≤ 0.05.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947808/#:~:text=The%
20results%20showed%20that%20myricetin,0.040%20mg%2Fg%20DW).

24. Terpenoids in curry leaves
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/table/antioxidants-09-00101-t001/?report=objectonly

25. Major volatile chemicals (12 of 33) in curry leaf oil (2020)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104627/#:~:text=The%20oils%20
from%20the%20curry,%25)%20as%20the%20main%20compounds.

26. PHARMACOLOGY: PRECLINICAL
Test tube and animal studies

27. Pharmacological properties of major phytochemicals in
curry leaves
©DRKEVINNG

28. An overview of the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities of
curry leaves (2019)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/2/101/htm

29. Effect of curry leaves and cucumber on the lipid profile values.
(2017)
International Journal of Clinical Trials| January-
March2017| Vol 4| Issue 1Page

30. DPPH radical scavenging activity of curry leaf collected from three
different locations compared with BHT and Vit C (2014)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947808/#:~:text=The
%20results%20showed%20that%20myricetin,0.040%20mg%2Fg%20DW)
.
butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Bars represent standard error of means. **represents
significance at P ≤ 0.01.

31. Anticancer activity of curry leaf extracts from 3 different locations
towards MDA-MB-231 cell line as determined by the MTT assay.
Tamoxifen was used as a positive control. (2014)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947808/#:~:text=The%
20results%20showed%20that%20myricetin,0.040%20mg%2Fg%20DW).
Bars represent standard error of means.

32. The major alkaloids of M. koenigii and its
pharmacological activities. (2020)
Adapted from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/#:~:text=koenigii%20hav
e%20been%20accredited%20to,different%20parts%20of%20the%20M.

33. Murraya koenigii Leaves and Their Use in Dementia (2015)
▪ Rationale:
▪ facilitation of neuronal cholinergic activity,
▪ scavenging of oxidative free radicals,
▪ control of the inflammation process, and
▪ reduction in glucose and cholesterol levels in circulation.
▪ However, no clinical studies had been reported.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124078246000975

34. Mechanisms of neurprotection of the identified bioactive
compounds from Murraya koenigii. (2022)
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/2/188/htm

35. • BIOAVAILABILITY
• CLINICAL TRIALS
• USE
• SAFETY ISSUES

36. Bioavailability Study of M. koenigii-Derived alkaloids (2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/#:~:text=koenigii%2
0have%20been%20accredited%20to,different%20parts%20of%20the%20M.

37. Clinical trials (2022)
▪ Until now, no significant clinical trials have been conducted on curry leaves.
▪ A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of M.
koenigii and chlorhexidine gluconate for the treatment of gingivitis [113].
▪ In another study, curry leaf powder (5 g daily for 45 days) was given to volunteers to
evaluate its effect on liver and renal functions, and no harmful effect was observed on the
functions of both the liver and kidney [114].
▪ An herbal medicine containing curry leaves along with pomegranate and turmeric was
developed for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome patients [115].
▪ The effect of curry leaves was also investigated in hypertensive subjects [116].
▪ However, despite numerous in vivo and in vitro studies exploring the neuroprotective
potential of M. koenigii, the research was lacking on its preclinical and/or clinical efficacy.
▪ Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct clinical trials to prove the neuroprotective
capacity of M. koenigii.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/2/188/htm

38. Traditional Uses of M. koenigii (2020)
▪ Essential oils and fresh leaf powder of M. koenigii
▪ are useful in seasoning food items and preparing ready-to-eat
foods.
▪ this oil can also be used as perfume and flavor agents.
▪ Fresh curry leaves are boiled with a coconut oil mixture until
they are reduced to a black residue to produce an excellent
hair tonic for hair color and hair growth.
▪ Curry leaves have a traditional use, either whole or in parts, as
antidiarrheal, antifungal, blood purifying, anti-inflammatory,
and anti-depressant agents
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/#:~:text=koenigii%20hav
e%20been%20accredited%20to,different%20parts%20of%20the%20M.

39. Medicinal Uses of M. koenigii (2020)
▪ Different parts of the plant, such as the leaves, roots, and bark, can be
prepared as
▪ Tonics for inducing digestion and flatulence or as antiemetics.
▪ The decoction made from leaves are helpful in reducing fever.
▪ The juice of the root is given to manage renal pains .
▪ The leaves and roots can be given as an anthelmenticku, analgesic,
cure for piles, anti-inflammation and itch.
▪ When eaten raw, the green leaves can offer a cure for dysentery,
and when they are boiled in milk, the paste has good application
prospects for curing poisonous bites and eruptions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070712/#:~:text=koenigii%20hav
e%20been%20accredited%20to,different%20parts%20of%20the%20M.

40. Safety issues
▪ Curry leaves were rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorous, along
with trace amounts of zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron.
▪ Additionally, lead, mercury, and cadmium were also present, but below the US FDA
limits .
▪ The changes in plants grown on polluted soils revealed the higher levels of heavy
metals, which posed a major health concern, where they could affect kidney, liver,
and the central nervous system .
▪ No signs of mortality or morbidity were seen in either male or female rats fed the
ethanolic extract of M. koenigii leaf (300 and 500 mg/kg) for 28 days.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/15/2/188/htm

41. • COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
• DELICIOUS CUISINES
• SUMMARY

42. Commercial curry leaf products
▪ Fresh leaves
▪ Dried leaves
▪ Powder
▪ Oil made from leaves
▪ Cosmetic products for skin and hair care.

43. Examples of delicious curry leaf cuisines

44. Summary
▪ Curry leaf refers to the leaf or the name of a plant
Murraya koenigii
▪ Curry leaf has been used as a spice or medicine
in India and southeast Asia.
▪ As a spice, it imparts aroma and flavor to food.
▪ As medicine, it contains phytochemicals which are
beneficial for health.
▪ However, clinical studies are lacking to confirm its
efficacy in humans.
▪ More research is needed.

45. ANY QUESTION?
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