Neurobehavioral properties of Cymbopogon essential oils and its components

Aromatic grasses of Cymbopogon (Poaceae)are a known genus of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine by the native people of America, Asia, and Africa. Due to large amounts of valuable essential oils they are readily used in many branches of industry. The potential therapeutic effects of Cymbopogon essential oils as well as the potential therapeutic effects of their active substances (such as citronellal, citronellol, geraniol, and eugenol)have been widely studied. Their neurobehavioral properties, including antinociceptive-, antidepressant-, antistress-, anxiolytic-, anticonvulsant-, and hypnotic/sedative-like activity are of particular interest. As civilization grows, the prevalence of neural and mental disorders increases and as a consequence, the demand for new drugs with aforementioned properties increases as well. In the light of the above, the plants from Cymbopogon genus are suggested by many scientists as a perfect candidate for further pharmaceutical research. The aim of current study is to critically review the available data in order to evaluate the pharmacological relevance of essential oils from Cymbopogon genus.