Pharmacological Activities of Phytoconstituents and Essential oil obtained from Cymbopogon citratus Linn.

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) is well known medicinal herb and distributed in various regions of tropical countries South East Asia. The various parts such as leaves and whole plant of lemongrass are used in the herbal therapies. The essential oil consists of mostly terpenes, aldehyde, ketones, alcohol and esters. Cymbopogon citratus possesses wide range of pharmacological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antidiarrheal, antifilarial, anti-amoebic and anti-inflammatory. In addition to them, antimalarial, antimycobacterial, hypoglycemic antioxidant, antimutagenicity, and CNS activities were reported. The secondary metabolites like saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloid phenols and also active constituents from essential oil (such as citral, limonene and terpineol) obtained from the plant are responsible for pharmacological activities. The antioxidant properties of lemongrass help in lowering the risk of cancer through scavenging of free radicals. In this paper, the study emphasizes on systematic study on the potential benefits of plant in the management of various diseases. Therefore, the phytoconstituents and major active constituents from essential oil, determines medicinally properties of lemon grass. The possible mechanisms of action has also been explored in case of some diseases.