A Review of the Anti-Cancer Potential of Murraya koenigii (Curry Tree) and Its Active Constituents

Abstract

Murraya koenigii (MK) relates to the Rutaceae family and has many health benefits. To date, over eighty-eight carbazole alkaloids along with terpenoids, and other nutrients have been identified from different parts of this plant. This review presents accumulated information regarding the role of MK and its constituents in the prevention/treatment of cancer. Literature survey revealed that MK and its constituents target multiple deranged pathways associated with apoptosis, growth (JAK-STAT, mTOR), and cell cycle in a variety of cancerous cell lines (colon, lung, liver, skin, prostate, breast, etc.) and few animal models. Thus, the present review highlights the anticancer mechanism of MK and its phytoconstituents, and further future perspectives. The ameliorating effects of MK and its phytoconstituents against various cancers warrant its multi-institutional clinical trials as soon as possible. The prospects of relatively cheaper cancer drugs could then be brighter, particularly for the socio-economically feebler cancer patients of the world.