Awlqadr Farhang Hameed, Altemimi Ammar B, Qadir Syamand Ahmed, Mohammed Othman Abdulrahman, Saeed Mohammed N, Hesarinejad Mohammad Ali, Lakhssassi Naoufal
Food Science and Quality Control, Halabja Technical College Sulaimani Polytechnic University Sulaymaniyah Iraq.
Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture University of Basrah Basrah Iraq.
Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Sep 7;13(9):e70864. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.70864. eCollection 2025 Sep.
Lemon balm (), a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is widely recognized for its medicinal properties and therapeutic benefits. This review offers a detailed exploration of the botanical features, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological uses of , highlighting key bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids (including rosmarinic and caffeic acids), flavonoids, essential oils (such as citral and citronellal), and triterpenoids (ursolic and oleanolic acids). Advanced extraction techniques, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), have greatly improved the efficiency of extraction, the preservation of bioactivity, and the sustainability of acquiring these bioactive compounds. Recent investigations have also shown its wide-ranging pharmacological potential, which includes antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiviral, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticancer, cardioprotective, and cognitive-enhancing properties. Furthermore, the traditional medicinal use of in managing neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia, and paralysis is increasingly supported by contemporary evidence, highlighting its therapeutic relevance in brain-related disorders. However, further studies are necessary to refine extraction methods, standardize levels of bioactive compounds, and validate clinical applications. This review presents a critical synthesis of existing knowledge and future directions for integrating into nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
香蜂草是一种属于唇形科的多年生草本植物，因其药用特性和治疗功效而被广泛认可。本综述详细探讨了香蜂草的植物特征、植物化学成分和药理用途，重点介绍了关键的生物活性化合物，如酚酸（包括迷迭香酸和咖啡酸）、黄酮类化合物、精油（如柠檬醛和香茅醛）以及三萜类化合物（熊果酸和齐墩果酸）。先进的提取技术，如超声辅助提取（UAE）、微波辅助提取（MAE）、加压液体提取（PLE）、超临界流体提取（SFE）和基质固相分散（MSPD），极大地提高了提取效率、生物活性的保留以及获取这些生物活性化合物的可持续性。最近的研究还表明其具有广泛的药理潜力，包括抗氧化、抗菌、抗炎、神经保护、抗病毒、抗抑郁、抗焦虑、抗癌、心脏保护和认知增强特性。此外，当代证据越来越支持香蜂草在治疗中风、癫痫、痴呆和瘫痪等神经退行性疾病方面的传统药用价值，突出了其在脑部相关疾病中的治疗相关性。然而，需要进一步研究来改进提取方法、标准化生物活性化合物的含量并验证临床应用。本综述对现有知识进行了批判性总结，并提出了将香蜂草整合到营养保健品、药品和化妆品中的未来方向。
