Exploring the Anti-Obesity Potential of Carbazole Alkaloids from Murraya Koenigii Bark: Pancreatic Lipase Inhibition and Molecular Insights

Sa, Qi Xuan (2025) Exploring the Anti-Obesity Potential of Carbazole Alkaloids from Murraya Koenigii Bark: Pancreatic Lipase Inhibition and Molecular Insights. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

Text SA QI XUAN_Full Text.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (4MB)

Abstract

This research focused on exploring a natural alternative to address side effects of synthetic anti-obesity treatments. Murraya koenigii, commonly known as the curry leaf tree and belonging to the Rutaceae family, is an aromatic plant renowned for its abundance of bioactive compounds and wide range of pharmacological properties. While previous studies have shown that carbazole alkaloids isolated from the plant's leaves possess anti-obesity properties, the stem bark's potential remains largely unexplored. In this study, two carbazole alkaloids, girinimbine and mahanimbine were successfully isolated from the selected hexane extract of M. koenigii bark and structurally elucidated using advanced chromatography and spectroscopy techniques such as 1D and 2D NMR. These carbazole alkaloids were identified as chemical markers by HPLC profiling of various hexane, DCM and MeOH extracts of M. koenigi bark collected in Jerantut, Pahang, Pendang, Kedah and Sibu, Sarawak, with retention times of 10.430 to 11.231 minutes and 8.233 to 8.700 minutes, respectively. Notably, girinimbine demonstrated potent inhibition of pancreatic lipase, with an IC50 value of 85.69 μM, comparable to the pharmaceutical agent Orlistat. This finding was further supported by an in silico molecular docking studies, which revealed strong molecular interaction with lipase (PDB:1ETH), with a docking energy of -9.10 kcal/mol, reinforcing girinimbine's potential as a natural anti-obesity agent, making it a potential natural anti-obesity medication or functional health supplement.