Pharmacognostic Differentiation Between Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack and Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng

Abstract

Khosa & Prasad (1974) conducted a pharmacognostic analysis on the roots of Murraya paniculata and M. koenigii, and concluded that the roots could be differentiated by means of several morphological, anatomical, and crude chemical parameters. Through our studies of the two species in search for biologically active compounds, it was found that the roots of the two species could be qualitatively differentiated with bioactive chemical markers. Roots of M. paniculata (sensu late) can be distinguished from those of M. koenigii by the presence of yuehchukene (I) and the absence of girinimbine (II). Moreover, benzene extracts of the roots of M. paniculata were shown to be active as an anti-implantation agent in rats, while those of M. koenigii were inactive even at sub-lethal dosage of 2.3 g eqv./ml/dose.