Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng: Speculative ethnobotanical perspectives of ubiquitous herb with versatile nutra/functional properties
Priyanka Suthar, Satish Kumar, Vikas Kumar, Devina Vaidya, Ajay Sharma, Ajit Sharma
Abstract
The utilization of various herbals in the different traditional therapeutical and medicinal systems has been reported prehistorically. India due to its geographical positioning on the global map is blessed with a variety of climatic and growth conditions and sustains various herbals. India is the largest producer of medicinal plants and herbs and is also referred to as a ‘botanical garden of the world’. The use of herbals as functional and neutraceutical food ingredients is not a new concept and is known for centuries and nearly 80% of the world's population still rely on herbals or their processed products for different therapeutic applications. Murraya koenigii l. (meethi neem) is well recognized for its unique flavor and is used in various cuisines as fresh leaves or spice mix as powder. The therapeutic potential of Murraya leaf is well reported in conditions like diabetes, diarrhoea, cancer, HIV, ulcer, obesity, inflammation and skin related problems. Also, the potent antimicrobial activity of the shrub expands its application as extract, powder or nanoparticles to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Continuous efforts are underway to explore the nutraceutical properties of the plant to boost its utilization in various food applications. Production of powder and extract from fresh leaves, fruits, seeds and roots, however, results in losses of bioactives and phyto-nutrients. Hence, the research personals and industries are evolving continuously for exploring alternative methods like freeze-drying, microwave and ultrasound-assisted dehydration, vacuum dehydration, etc. to minimize such losses. Murraya based nanoparticles for improving the delivery of target compounds have gained significant attention. The present review has been compiled to provide an insight into the fresh use and value addition of the herb with its potential therapeutic and medicinal properties along with the developments made in the field of processing, extraction and concerned health benefits.