Phytochemical characterization and biological evaluation of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) extracts: A systematic experimental study

Lemongrass () is widely used in traditional medicine, with growing interest in its pharmacological properties. This study aims to systematically investigate the phytochemical composition and biological activities of lemongrass extracts, focusing on optimizing extraction methods and evaluating their therapeutic potential. Various extraction techniques were employed, including solvent-based methods (ethanol, methanol, and water) and green extraction approaches (ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted extraction). Phytochemical profiling was conducted using qualitative and quantitative techniques, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The biological activities of the extracts were assessed through in vitro assays for antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS), antimicrobial (agar diffusion), anti-inflammatory (COX inhibition), and cytotoxicity activities (on HeLa, MCF-7, and HEK-293 cell lines). Ethanol extracts showed the highest yield of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. These extracts also exhibited significant antioxidant activity with DPPH and ABTS assays. The antimicrobial tests revealed strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, while the COX inhibition assay indicated notable anti-inflammatory effects. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated selective toxicity toward cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7) with minimal effects on normal cells (HEK-293). Lemongrass extracts, particularly those obtained via ethanol extraction, exhibit promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These findings highlight its potential for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications, warranting further investigation in vivo and in clinical trials.