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ReviewArticle

Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon

citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass)
Gagan Shah, Richa Shri1,
Vivek Panchal2, Narender Sharma3, Abstract
Bharpur Singh, A. S. Mann
Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass) is a widely used herb in tropical countries,
Department of Pharmacognosy, especially in Southeast Asia. The essential oil of the plant is used in aromatherapy.
Bis College of Pharmacy Gagra, Moga,
1
Departments of Pharmaceutical The compounds identified in Cymbopogon citratus are mainly terpenes, alcohols,
Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi ketones, aldehyde and esters. Some of the reported phytoconstituents are essential
University, Patiala, 2Departments of oils that contain Citral , Citral , Nerol Geraniol, Citronellal, Terpinolene, Geranyl
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and
3
Pharmacology, Bis College of acetate, Myrecene and Terpinol Methylheptenone. The plant also contains reported
Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which consist of
luteolin, isoorientin 2'-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, kaempferol and apiginin. Studies
J. Adv. Pharm. Tech. Res.
indicate that Cymbopogon citratus possesses various pharmacological activities such
as anti-amoebic, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, antifilarial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory
properties. Various other effects like antimalarial, antimutagenicity, antimycobacterial,
antioxidants, hypoglycemic and neurobehaviorial have also been studied. These results
are very encouraging and indicate that this herb should be studied more extensively to
confirm these results and reveal other potential therapeutic effects.

Key words: Cymbopogon citratus, essential oil, flavonoids, phytoconstituents

INTRODUCTION in teas, soups and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish
and seafood.
Cymbopogon is a genus of about 55 species, which are
indigenous in tropical and semi-tropical areas of Asia ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
and are cultivated in South and Central America, Africa
and other tropical countries. These are tu ed perennial Cymbopogon citratus is used in various countries for various
C 4 grasses with numerous stiff stems arising from a purposes, which are summarized in Table 1.
short, rhizomatous rootstock, [1-2] as with citrus flavor,
and can be dried and powdered or used fresh. The name TAXONOMICAL CLASSIFICATION
Cymbopogon is derived from the Greek words “kymbe”
(boat) and “pogon” (beard), referring to the flower spike Kingdom: Plantae
arrangement.[3] Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass) is commonly used Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Address for correspondence
Genus: Cymbopogon Spreng
Mr. Gagan Shah,
Department of Pharmacognosy, Bis College of Pharmacy, Species: citratus
Gagra, Moga, Punjab, India. E-mail: gaganshah83@gmail.com
COMMON NAMES
Access this article online
Quick Response Code:
Brazil: Capim-cidrao, Capim-santo
Website: Egypt: Lemon grass
www.japtr.org English: Lemongrass, Citronella, Squinant
Ethiopia: Tej-sar
DOI: Hindi: Sera, Verveine
10.4103/2231-4040.79796 Indonesian: Sereh
Italian: Cimbopogone

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Shah, et al.: Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass)

Malaysia: Sakumau grass grows in dense clumps that can grow to 6 (1.8
Mexico: Zacate limon m) in height and about 4 (1.2 m) in width, with a short
Swedish: Citrongräss rhizome.[18] Table 2 shows the morphological description of
Thailand: Ta-khrai Cymbopogon citratus.
Turkish: Limon out
USA: Citronella PHYTOCHEMISTRY
PARTS USED The chemical composition of the essential oil of Cymbopogon
citratus varies according to the geographical origin, the
Leaves and whole plant.
compounds as hydrocarbon terpenes, alcohols, ketones,
esters and mainly aldehydes have constantly been
SYNONYM(S)
registered.[20,21] The essential oil (0.2–0.5%, West Indian
Lemon grass stalk, Andropogon citratus. lemon grass oil) consists of, mainly, citral.[22] Citral is a
mixture of two stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes;
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION the trans isomer geranial (40–62%) dominates over the cis
isomer neral (25–38%),[23,24] as shown in Table 3. Chemical
Lemongrass is equally versatile in the garden. This tropical structure of the major constituents of lemongrass essential
oil [Figure 1].[29]
Table 1: Ethnopharmacology of Cymbopogon
citratus Triterpenoids
Country Uses References Isolated and identified new triterpenoids from leaf wax are
Argentina Decoction of leaf is taken orally with [4] cymbopogone and cymbopogonol [Figure 2].[30]
“mate” tea for sore throat, empacho
R R1
and as an emetic
(1) Cymbopogone β-CH3, H R1= O
Brazil The tea made from its leaves is [5–6]
popularly used as antispasmodic, (2) Cymbopogonol CH2 β-OH, H
analgesic anti-inflammatory,
antipyretic, diuretic and sedative Table 2: Morphological description of
Cuba Hot water extract of the dried leaves [7] Cymbopogon citrates
is taken orally as a hypotensive for
catarrh and rheumatism Part Description References
Egypt Hot water extract of the dried leaves [8] Leaves The strap-like leaves are 0.5–1
and stem is taken orally as a renal in (1.3–2.5 cm) wide, about
antispasmodic and diuretic 3 ft (0.9 m) long and have
gracefully drooping tips. The
India Fresh entire plant is said to repel [9–11]
evergreen leaves are bright
snakes. Two to three drops of
bluish-green and release a citrus
essential oil in hot water are taken
aroma when crushed
orally for gastric troubles. For cholera,
Leaf arrangement: most emerge
a few drops of oil with lemon juice
from the soil, usually without
are taken orally. Hot water extract of
a stem
the dried leaves is used for bathing in
Leaf type: simple
cases of severe headache and fever. A
Leaf margin: entire
tea prepared from lemon grass is used
Leaf shape: linear
as a sedative for the central nervous
Leaf venation: parallel
system
Leaf type and persistence:
Indonesia Hot water extract of the entire plant [12] fragrant
is taken orally as an emmenagogue Leaf blade length: 18–36 in
Malaysia Hot water extract of the entire plant [13] Leaf color: green
is taken orally as an emmenagogue Fall characteristic: showy
Thailand Fresh entire plant is inhaled as a [14–16] Flowers The lemongrasses plants that
fragrance and eaten as a you are likely to encounter are
condiment.[14] Hot water extract of the cultivars and do not typically
dried entire plant is taken orally as a produce flowers, or flowering
stomachic.[15] Hot water extract of the panicles are rarely formed
dried root is taken orally for diabetes Inflorescence Inflorescences are 30–60-cm- [19]
USA Hot water extract of the entire plant [17] long and nodding, the partial
is used externally by Laotian Hmong inflorescences are paired
in Minnesota for healing wounds and racemes of spikelets subtended
bone fractures by spathes

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Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds Table 3: Composition of essential oil in

Lemongrass consists of luteolin and its 6-C and 7-O– Cymbopogon citratus[25-28]
glycosides,[31] isoorientin 2'-O-rhamnoside[32] and isolation Essential oil composition Percentage of components
of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol and apiginin[33] from Citral  40.8
the aerial parts. The phenolic compounds elimicin, catecol, Citral  32
chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and hydroquinone are also Nerol 4.18
isolated from the plant. [34] Geraniol 3.04
Citronellal 2.10
PHARMACOLOGY Terpinolene 1.23
Geranyl acetate 0.83
Although a lot of pharmacological investigations have been Myrecene 0.72
carried out based on the ingredients present, but a lot more Terpinol 0.45
can still be explored, exploited and utilized. A summary of Methylheptenone 0.2
the findings of these studies is presented below. Borneol 0.1–0.4
Linalyl acetate 0.1
Anti-amebic Effect  Pinene 0.07
The essential oil in broth culture was active on Entamoeba  Pinene 0.04
histolytica.[35] Limonene Traces
Linalool Traces
Antibacterial Activity -caryophyllene Traces
The chromatographic fraction of the essential oil in
agar plate was active on Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,
Staphylococus aureus[36-37] and Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella
flexneri.[38] These activities are shown in two of the three main
components of the oil identified through chromatographic
and mass spectrometric methods. While the α-citral
(geranial) and β-citral (neral) components individually elicit
an antibacterial action on gram-negative and gram-positive
organisms, the third component, myrcene, did not show any
observable antibacterial activity on its own.[36] The extract
was also active when the volatile oil extract was oxidized
via the active oxygen method.[39-42]

Antidiarrheal Activity
Cymbopogon citratus stalk decoction reduced the fecal output Figure 1: Chemical structure of the major constituents of lemongrass
in a dose-dependent manner. [43] essential oil

Antifilarial Activity CH3

Fresh leaves were active on Setaria digitata.[44]

Antifungal Activity H3C

Lemon grass oil is active against such dermatophytes such CH3
as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Epidermophyton
floccosum and Microsporum gypseum,[45] and is among the CH3 CH3
H
most active agents against human dermatophytes. Other
studies reported that lemon grass oil is active against
keratinophilic fungi, 32 ringworm fungi[46-47] and food CH3 CH3
storage fungi. [48] Lemongrass oil is also effective as a 1
herbicide and as an insecticide because of these naturally R
CH3
occurring antimicrobial effects. R
Figure 2: Chemical structure of cymbopogone and cymbopogonol
Anti-inflammatory Activity
The hot water extract of the dried leaves administered Antimalarial Activity
intragastrically to rats was active when compared with The essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus were found to
carrageenin-induced pedal edema.[7] produce 86.6% suppression in the growth of Plsmodium

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berghei when compared with chloroquine (taking inhibition lipoprotein level in the same dose-related fashion, but with
by chloroquine as 100%).[49] no effect on the plasma triglyceride levels.[62]

Antimutagenicity Larvicidal Activity

The ethanolic extract of lemon grass extract exhibits an The fresh leaf essential oil has a larvicidal activity.[63]
antimutagenic activity in various models[50-52] and retards
the growth of fibrosarcoma cells transplanted in mice in Neurobehavioral Effect
association with the prevention of lung metastasis.[53] The The essential oil was evaluated for sedative/hypnotic
plant extract is known to show inhibition on the formation activity through pentobarbital sleeping time, anxiolytic
of azoxymethane-induced DNA adducts and aberrant activity by elevated plus maze and light/dark box
crypt foci in the rat colon.[54] Inhibitory effects of the plant procedures and anticonvulsant activity through seizures
extract on the early phase of hepatocarcinogenesis a er induced by pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock.
initiation with diethylnitrosamine were seen in 344 male The essential oil was effective in increasing the sleeping
Fischer rats.[55] time, the percentage of entries and time spent in the open
arms of the elevated plus maze as well as the time spent in
Antimycobacterial Activity the light compartment of the light/dark box. In addition,
The essential oil in agar plate was active on Mycobacterium the essential oil delayed clonic seizures induced by
smegaris.[56] pentylenetetrazole and blocked the tonic extensions induced
by maximal electroshock, indicating the elevation of the
Antinociceptive Effect seizure threshold and/or blockage of the seizure spread.[64]
The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus possesses a
significant antinociceptive activity. Comparing the results MARKETED FORMULATION OF THE HERB
obtained with three different experimental models of
nociception (hot-plate, acetic acid-induced writhings and Lemongrass Essential Oil
formalin test), we can speculate that the essential oil acts As a vaporizer, the oil works as an effective panacea against
both at the peripheral and at the central levels.[57] bacteria, flu and colds. It has stimulating agent, tonics,
aromas, diuretic and antispasmodic, and so on. People
Antiprotozoan Activity suffering from urine problems can apply lemon grass oils.
A dose-dependent antiprotozoan effect of the essential oil In hot weather, this is the best oil to cool down the body
of Cymbopogon citratus could be observed on two strains of temperature and to revive the mind and soul. In other
Crithida deanei.[58] health benefits, this is used to improve digestion, nausea
and menstruation problems and ailments like headaches,
Ascaricidal Activity muscle cramps, spasms and rheumatisms.
The fresh leaf essential oil has an ascaricidal activity.[59]
CONCLUDING REMARKS AND FUTURE PO-
Free Radical Scavengers and Antioxidant Effects TENTIAL
Methanol, MeOH/water extracts, infusion and decoction
of Cymbopogon citratus were shown to have free radical Cymbopogon citratus is native to Sri Lanka and South
scavenging effects by measuring the bleaching of the 1, India, and is now widely cultivated in the tropical areas
1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, scavenging of of America and Asia. The plant is used as a fragrance and
the superoxide anion and inhibition of the enzyme xanthine flavoring agent and in folk medicine as an antispasmodic,
oxidase and lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes.[60] hypotensive, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiemetic,
antitussive, antirheumatic, antiseptic and treatment for
Hypocholesterolemic Effect nervous and gastrointestinal disorders and fevers. The plant
The elevated cholesterol concentration was significantly is also used as an antibacterial, antidiarrheal and antioxidant,
lowered in the animals given the plant extract. This but the mode of action for the different bioactivities has
reduction was found to be dose dependent. This result not been studied in detail. Cymbopogon citratus contains
shows that the extract possesses a hypocholestecolemic various phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and phenolic
potential.[61] compounds, terpenoids and essential oils, which may be
responsible for the different biological activities. Hence,
Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects we can isolate some pure phytopharmaceuticals, which
A fresh leaf aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus in turn can be used as lead molecules for synthesizing
administered in normal rats lowered the fasting plasma the novel agents having good therapeutic activity. With
glucose and total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density regard to the development of quality herbal medicine
lipoproteins and very low-density lipoprotein dose standardization of the extracts, phytopharmacology of
dependently while raising the plasma high-density different extracts, isolation and characterization of active

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53. Puatanachokchai R. Antimutagenicity, cytotoxicity and antitumor Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: Nil.

8 Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1