Review on the pharmacological properties of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as a promising source of bioactive compounds

Despite the quantities and diversity of chemical compounds such as flavonoids discovered in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC.), available data are fragmentary. Their variation depending on the type of extract and origin of the plant and their effect on biological activities are not deeply discussed. Therefore, this paper provides a critical discussion of bioactive compounds including flavonoid content in extracts of Cymbopogon citratus, and their associated biological properties. Recorded data showed that recent studies have addressed the flavonoids qualitatively and quantitatively in various extracts of C. citratus. Existing literature clarified a significant variation of chemicals depending on the used parts of the plants. However, data on the effects of climate change and other environmental on the quantity and quality of flavonoids are not yet available. On the other hand, the recorded flavonoids were associated with a wide range of pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic effects, which are variable depending on the types of flavonoids. Other properties such as anticancer, analgesic, and diuretic activities are not yet investigated in the flavonoids extracted from the plant, thus more advanced studies are needed to optimize the extraction of biomolecules counting flavonoids, and then apply them to the most devastating diseases and pathogens.