A comprehensive review of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Murrayae Folium et Cacumen

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Murrayae Folium et Cacumen (MFC) is a plant considered to be a traditional Chinese medicine with culinary value as well. The dry leaves and twigs of Murraya paniculata and M. exotica are used to treat stomach aches, rheumatism, toothaches, swelling, and insect and snake bites. They are also used to prepare spicy chicken dishes. Aim of the review: This review comprehensively summarizes the available information on the botanical characterization, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of MFC. Methods: Relevant scientific literature up to August 2023 was included in the study. Chinese and English studies on MFC were collected from databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley, ACS, and CNKI (Chinese). Doctoral and Master's dissertations were also included. Results: In total, 720 compounds have been identified and reported in the literature, including flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, sterols, phenylpropenols, organic acids, spirocyclopentenones, and volatile oils. Flavonoids and coumarins are the two most important bioactive compounds responsible for these pharmacological activities. MFC has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-depressant, potential anti-Alzheimer's disease, chondroprotective, and analgesic properties. The pharmacological effects include interrupting the STAT3/NF-κB/COX-2 and EGFR signaling pathways, downregulating EpCAM expression, inhibiting NF-κB and ERK signals, inhibiting the EP/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and miR-29a/Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, and upregulating Foxo3a expression. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of MFC support its use in traditional Chinese botanical medicines. MFC contains a wide range of chemical compounds. Flavonoids and coumarins promote strong pharmacological activity and, are low-toxicity natural phytomedicines that are widely used in medicine, food, ornamentation, and cosmetics, making MFC a promising compound for development and use in the treatment of several medical conditions.

A quantitative chemomics strategy for the comprehensive comparison of Murraya paniculata and M. exotica using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Murrayae Folium et Cacumen (MFC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from two plant species, Murraya exotica L. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, as recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, there is no research available on the comprehensive analysis and comparison of the chemical constituents of these two species. In the present study, an integrated LC-MS-based quantitative metabolome strategy was proposed to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis and comparison of the chemome of M. exotica and M. paniculata. Firstly, the universal chemical information of two plants was obtained by quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) combined with hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (Qtrap-MS). Subsequently, a UNIFI in house database, the proposed fragmentation patterns, and a quantitative structure chromatographic retention relationship (QSRR) model were integrated for the rapid, comprehensive, and accurate structural elucidation of the chemical constituents of these two species. Thirdly, a large-scale quantitation method was established using scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode (sMRM) and 76 primary components were selected as quantitative markers for the method validation. The obtained dataset was then subjected for multivariate statistical analysis to comprehensive comparison of these two plants. As a result, a total of 209 and 212 compounds were identified from M. exotica and M. paniculata, respectively. Among them, 103 common constituents were disclosed in both plants. The multivariate statistical analysis and absolute quantitative analysis revealed noticeable differences in the contents of specific chemical constituents between these two plants. The higher quantity constituents in M. exotica are 7-methoxycoumarins, while polymethoxylated flavonoids are the major constituents in M. paniculata. The common compounds accounted for approximately 80 % of the quantitative components in both plants, which provides a theoretical basis for their common use as the official source of MFC. In sum, the established quantitative chemomics strategy supplies an effective means for comprehensive chemical comparison of multi-source TCMs.