Health Benefits of Extracts from Different Parts of Three Types of Lemongrass

Greg Howard
19th July, 2024

Health Benefits of Extracts from Different Parts of Three Types of Lemongrass

Molecular docking simulations reveal that alpha-cadinol, a key compound from Cymbopogon spp., shows strong binding to various target proteins, suggesting a mechanism for its predicted antimicrobial (a–d) and antioxidant (e, f) activities.

Image adapted from: Wahyuni et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study by Universitas Airlangga analyzed the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts from three Indonesian Cymbopogon species
  • GC-MS analysis identified 53 metabolites, with 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol, alpha-cadinol, and 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-benzene being the most abundant
  • C. winterianus and C. nardus leaves showed the highest antioxidant activity, while C. nardus leaf and C. winterianus stem extracts exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against various bacteria
  • Cytotoxicity assays indicated low toxicity for all extracts, suggesting they are safe for potential therapeutic use
Cymbopogon species, commonly known as lemongrass, have long been recognized for their medicinal properties, particularly their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Recent research conducted by Universitas Airlangga[1] delved into the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts from three Indonesian commercial species of Cymbopogon—Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, and Cymbopogon winterianus. This study aimed to identify promising compounds for treating antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health concern. The study utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to profile metabolites in the leaf, stem, and root extracts of the three Cymbopogon species. In silico and in vitro analyses were employed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these extracts. Additionally, cytotoxicity assays were performed to assess the safety of these extracts. GC-MS analysis revealed 53 metabolites, with 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol (27.87%), alpha-cadinol (26.76%), and 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-benzene (20.56%) being the predominant compounds. The study found that the leaves of C. winterianus and C. nardus exhibited the highest antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. These assays measure the ability of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage. Moreover, the MTT assay, which measures cellular metabolic activity as an indicator of cytotoxicity, showed low toxicity for all Cymbopogon spp. ethanolic extracts. This suggests that these extracts are safe for potential therapeutic use. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was evaluated against Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli using a well diffusion assay. The results showed that C. nardus leaf extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while C. winterianus stem extract showed the highest activity against B. subtilis. Computational pathway analysis predicted that the antimicrobial mechanisms were related to the antioxidant activity of the extracts. These findings align with previous studies demonstrating the antimicrobial efficacy of Cymbopogon essential oils. For instance, Cymbopogon citratus oil has been shown to effectively inhibit biofilm formation of Candida tropicalis on medical devices, suggesting its potential as an antifungal agent[2]. Additionally, lemongrass essential oil and its bioactive component citral have been demonstrated to disrupt polymicrobial biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species, further supporting the antimicrobial potential of Cymbopogon extracts[3]. Furthermore, the development of sustainable products incorporating Cymbopogon essential oils has shown promise in various fields. For example, chitosan films containing lemongrass essential oil have been developed as green cosmetic skin treatments due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties[4]. These films have demonstrated activity against E. coli and S. aureus, similar to the findings of the current study. In conclusion, the research conducted by Universitas Airlangga provides a comprehensive analysis of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Cymbopogon spp. ethanolic extracts. The study highlights the potential of these extracts as novel drug candidates for treating antimicrobial resistance, with low cytotoxicity and strong bioactivity. These findings pave the way for future studies to assess the clinical safety and efficacy of Cymbopogon spp. extracts, contributing to the development of new therapeutic agents in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

HerbsMedicineBiochem

References

Main Study

1) The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract in roots, stems, and leaves of three commercial Cymbopogon species.

Published 18th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04573-4

Related Studies

2) Antifungal and biofilm inhibitory effect of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) essential oil on biofilm forming by Candida tropicalis isolates; an in vitro study.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112188

3) Antimicrobial Activity of Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Its Active Component Citral Against Dual-Species Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida Species.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.603858

4) Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)-incorporated chitosan bioactive films for potential skincare applications.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122301


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