Murraya koenigii L. (Rutaceae), commonly known as curry leaf tree, closely associated with south India where the word "curry" originates from the Tamil "kari" for spiced sauces. Curry leaves are a rich source of
carbazole alkaloids which possess various
biological activities such as antitumor,
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curry leaf has a potential role in the treatment of diabetes.
Reserpine-induced
orofacial dyskinesia in rats is an animal model of
tardive dyskinesia that has been linked with
free radical generation and oxidative stress. In this study, neuroprotective potential and in-vivo
antioxidant status of
methanol extract of the leaves of Murraya koenigii (MEMK) in
reserpine-induced
orofacial dyskinesia are investigated.
Reserpine was used to induce
orofacial dyskinesia. The effect of MEMK on locomotion and
catalepsy was studied using Open-field apparatus and Bar-test, respectively. The effect of MEMK on the levels of protective
anti-oxidant enzymes i.e.
superoxide dismutase (SOD),
catalase (CAT),
glutathione reductase (GSH) and inhibited lipid peroxidation (LPO) in forebrain region were investigated in
reserpine-treated animals. Results demonstrated that the MEMK significantly inhibited the
reserpine-induced vacuous chewing movements (VCM), tongue protrusion (TP), orofacial burst (OB) and
catalepsy. MEMK significantly increased the number of squares traversed and rearing in open field apparatus. Treatment with MEMK significantly restored the levels of protective
anti-oxidant enzymes i.e. SOD, CAT, GSH and inhibited LPO in forebrain region when compared with
reserpine. It also inhibited
haloperidol-induced
catalepsy. The present study concludes that the oxidative stress might play an important role in
reserpine-induced abnormal oral movements, and Murraya koenigii may have great potential in the treatment of
neuroleptic-induced
orofacial dyskinesia.