Lemongrass — a fragrant blade for fever and digestion?

Aim of the study: Although several studies have confirmed that Cymbopogon contains a range of active components, no review has been undertaken to consolidate information on its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and/or quality control.

Results: Cymbopogon (Gramineae or Poaceae) plants are grown worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine and other medicinal systems hold that Cymbopogon can relieve coughs and pain, treat dizziness and traumatic injuries, and relieve abdominal pain. Phytochemical studies have isolated or identified a total of 153 compounds from Cymbopogon species, including flavonoids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and other compounds. Extracts or compounds from Cymbopogon have shown many biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antineoplastic, antiarrhythmic, and antidiabetic effects. The high levels of citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol found in Cymbopogon also provide significant nutritional benefits. Based on their traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities, Cymbopogon plants are potential medicinal and edible resources with diverse pharmacological effects.

Aim of the study: Lemongrass contains a variety of substances known to have antioxidant and disease-preventing properties, including essential oils, compounds, minerals, and vitamins. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Spp.) essential oil (LGEO) has been shown to improve diabetes and accelerate wound healing.

Results: Articles have examined the chemistry, biosynthesis, extraction techniques, and worldwide demand for lemongrass oil. We compared the effectiveness of several methods of extracting lemongrass essential oil, including solvent extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction, steam distillation, hydrodistillation (HD), and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD). In addition, the essential oils found in lemongrass and their bioactivities have a significant impact on human health.

Aim of the study: Epilepsy is considered a common neurological disease that threatens the lives of millions of people around the world. Since ancient times, different forms of medication have been used to treat this condition.

Results: Plants and their essential oils may be considered alternatives to existing treatments because they have fewer side effects. Medicinal plants have proven to be an effective natural source of antiepileptic drugs; most act by affecting GABA receptors in different ways. Cannabis indica and Cymbopogon winterianus are well-known plant species with antiepileptic activity. This review presents a list of plants with antiepileptic effects and aims to help scientists find alternative drugs with fewer side effects.

Aim of the study: Plant essential oil nanoemulsions (PEO-NEs) offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides for managing plant diseases. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of PEO-NEs derived from seven medicinal plants against cucumber powdery mildew.

Results: Preventive application 48 h before pathogen inoculation further reduced severity by 72.41%, 55.17%, and 41.3% for savory, lemongrass, and clove, respectively. Phenolic compound analysis using HPLC-DAD revealed significant differences in the levels of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, rutin, and rosmarinic acid in treated plants. GC-MS identified key compounds, including carvacrol (88.6%) in savory, eugenol (56.6%) and β-caryophyllene (29.93%) in clove, and citral (42.6%) in lemongrass. These findings highlight the potential of PEO-NEs as eco-friendly alternatives for managing cucumber powdery mildew.

Aim of the study: Mosquitoes transmit several infectious diseases, including malaria. Because mosquitoes are becoming increasingly resistant to synthetic insecticides and these chemicals are non-selective, larviciding has emerged as an effective and environmentally safer method of mosquito control.

Results: A total of 195 and 99 components were identified in lemongrass leaves and stalks, respectively. The concentration of essential oils (EOs) was higher in stalks than in leaves, with geranial (31.89%) and neral (27.02%) identified as the main components. EOs isolated from lemongrass stalks showed greater larvicidal activity than those obtained from lemongrass leaves, with LC50 values of 146.6 ppm and 209.5 ppm, respectively. These results demonstrated the potent larvicidal properties of lemongrass stalk EOs against An. gambiae s.s. larvae. EOs from lemongrass stalks are more effective against An. gambiae s.s. larvae than those obtained from lemongrass leaves.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory potential of basil (Ocimum basilicum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) extracts in Labeo rohita fingerlings, focusing on their efficacy against Aphanomyces invadans COF_AHE F (02). The extracts were analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), which revealed a rich presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds.

Results: Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts increased notably, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels decreased. Immunological markers, including serum protein, lysozyme, and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, increased significantly. In addition, immune-regulatory genes such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), and complement component 3 (C3) were upregulated in treated groups. These findings suggest that basil and lemongrass extracts are promising natural immunostimulants for improving fish health and may help increase disease resistance in aquaculture.