Underutilized Plant Cymbopogon pendulus Derived Essential Oil Is Excellent Source of Bioactives with Diverse Biological Activities.

Cymbopogon pendulus, also known as lemon grass, is an underutilized plant of tropical and subtropical regions. Owing to its antioxidant values, it has been used as folk medicine, and folk cosmetic. Despite its importance, detailed phytochemical and pharmacological studies remain infancy. In the present study, lemon grass essential oil (LGO) was extracted from Cymbopogon pendulus and was analysed for its phytochemical, in-vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic and insecticidal properties. Essential oil from fresh leaves was isolated and phytochemical analysis (phenolics, flavonoids and tannins) was studied. Different antioxidant activities like DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), iron-reducing power, iron chelating power and hydroxyl scavenging activities were also studied. Anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal and anti-microbial potential of LGO was evaluated. GC-FID was used to identify bioactives. The phytochemical analysis of LGO revealed high concentrations of polyphenolics that is phenols, flavonoids, and tannin contents. GC-FID revealed the presence of citral and other bioactive molecules in LGO. LGO showed high potential as anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-microbial agent. LGO showed high potential to be used as anti-diabetic agent due to its high inhibitory effect on alpha-amylase activity. Further kinetic studies revealed competitive inhibition of α-amylase by LGO. LGO exhibited strong Insecticidal potential against weevil (Callosobruchus) commonly found in stored grains. The results obtained confirmed the information that LGO possesses significant bioactive components advantageous for pharma, food and cosmetic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]