Cymbopogon citratus (Sitwonnèl) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Cymbopogon citratus (Sitwonnèl) — family Poacées.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 22 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The monograph draws on 76 scientific references recorded for the species.

Therapeutic indications in alcoholic extraction:

Note: scientific reference excerpts are kept in their original language (most often English), without translation, to respect the source text of publications.

1. Bacterial infection : Plant part used: Sheet. Documented pharmacological profile: Ciprofloxacine-like.
   According to Uzama D (2011): The extract of P Longifolia leaves was very active against Bacillus subtilis & Staphylococcus aureus at 25mg/ml but has no activity with Klebsiella pneumonia & Escherichia coli at the same concentration. The study indicated that the extract of the leaves of Lemon grass was very active against Klebsiella pneumonia & Staphylococcus aureus at 25mg/ml but has no activity with Bacillus subtilis & Escherichia coli at the same concentration. According to Hussain S (2023): Current studies were performed to investigate the phytochemistry, synergistic antibacterial, antioxidant, & hemolytic activities of ethanolic & aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (EA & WA) & Cymbopogon citratus (EC & WC) leaves.
2. Cancer : Plant part used: Sheet.
   According to Halabi MF (2014): The extracts were isolated by solvent maceration method & thereafter subjected to antiproliferative activity test on five different cancer cells: human colon Carcinoma (HCT-116), Breast Carcinoma (MCF-7 & MDA-MB 231), ovarian Carcinoma (SKOV-3 & COAV) & a normal liver cell line (WRL 68). Depending on extraction solvent content, extract obtained from 50% ethanolic solvent proved to be more potent on Breast cancer MCF-7 cell line (IC50 = 68 μg/mL). According to Philion C (2017): Herein, we report potent anti-cancer properties in dose & time-dependent manners of ethanolic lemongrass & hot water white tea extracts in lymphoma & leukemia models.
3. Pest control : Plant part used: Pesticidal and veterinary use. Documented pharmacological profile: Chlorfluazuron-like.
   According to El-Sheikh MF (2023): El-Sheikh MF et al, Biological & Biochemical Evaluation of Synthesized Green Nanoparticles & Ethanol Extract of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) against House fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) Egyptian Jl of Crop Protection, 18(1):24-34, 2023-The house fly is one of the most important medical & veterinary insects for humans and farm animals. Therefore, nanoparticles can be used to control house fly larvae, with further study to know the effect of these particles. According to KOBENAN KC (2022): The effects of these extracts were compared to those of a synthetic chemical insecticide composed of acetamiprid & alphacypermethrin known under the trade name IBIS A 52 EC (positive control).

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use and full scientific references are available in the complete monograph.

Photo credit : Photo by Mokkie without modification (CC BY-SA 4.0. License : CC BY-SA 4.0.