Murraya microphylla is the most closely related species to M. koenigii (Curry tree). Inspired by the traditional effects of M. koenigii, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil and extracts of M. microphylla were evaluated for the first time. The light petroleum and chloroform extracts were found to be able to scavenge DPPH free radicals, inhibit linoleic acid peroxidation, and nitric oxide production, as well as to present cytotoxicity to the human cancer cell lines HepG2, Bel7402, Bel7403, and Hela, but the essential oil only showed moderate activities. Chemical analysis of the active extracts by LC-DAD-MSn indicated that carbazole alkaloids were the main constituents. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in identification of 91 constituents, representing 96.9% of the total oil, with (E)-caryophyllene (18.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (12.6%) as the major constituents. These results demonstrate that M. microphylla has similar biological activities, as well as chemical constituents to M. koenigii, and the carbazole alkaloids were disclosed to be the main potential active components. A promising development as a flavor and potential therapeutic agent could thus be predicated for this plant.
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