Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems—A Review

Abstract

Melissa officinalis is a medicinal plant rich in biologically active compounds which is used worldwide for its therapeutic effects. Chemical studies on its composition have shown that it contains mainly flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and essential oil. The main active constituents of Melissa officinalis are volatile compounds (geranial, neral, citronellal and geraniol), triterpenes (ursolic acid and oleanolic acid), phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (quercetin, rhamnocitrin, and luteolin). According to the biological studies, the essential oil and extracts of Melissa officinalis have active compounds that determine many pharmacological effects with potential medical uses. A new field of research has led to the development of controlled release systems with active substances from plants. Therefore, the essential oil or extract of Melissa officinalis has become a major target to be incorporated into various controlled release systems which allow a sustained delivery.

Melissa officinalis L. as a Sprout Suppressor in Solanum tuberosum L. and an Alternative to Synthetic Pesticides

“…37 The latter review demonstrated significant variation in the concentration of individual compounds in the M. officinalis EO, with reported ranges of geranial (citral A, 6.2−51.2% of the total oil), neral (cotral B, 4.3-35%), caryophyllene oxide (1.3-44%), citronellal (0.4-20%), and β− caryophyllene (1.3-29%). 37 The EO composition of M. officinalis in this study was within the individual compounds' concentration ranges reported in the latter review paper. Indeed, it has been shown that the M. officinalis EO composition may vary significantly depending on various factors such as origin and ecological conditions, 37 plant nutrient concentrations, 38 and the extraction process.…”

“…37−41 The composition, pharmacological effects, and derived release systems of M. officinalis were recently reviewed. 37 The latter review demonstrated significant variation in the concentration of individual compounds in the M. officinalis EO, with reported ranges of geranial (citral A, 6.2−51.2% of the total oil), neral (cotral B, 4.3-35%), caryophyllene oxide (1.3-44%), citronellal (0.4-20%), and β− caryophyllene (1.3-29%). 37 The EO composition of M. officinalis in this study was within the individual compounds' concentration ranges reported in the latter review paper.…”

“…officinalis EO profile has been previously reported. − The composition, pharmacological effects, and derived release systems of M. officinalis were recently reviewed . The latter review demonstrated significant variation in the concentration of individual compounds in the M.…”

“…Indeed, it has been shown that the M. officinalis EO composition may vary significantly depending on various factors such as origin and ecological conditions, plant nutrient concentrations, and the extraction process . The latter authors identified 22 EO constituents in a study on the effects of plant nutrients on M.…”

“…37 The EO composition of M. officinalis in this study was within the individual compounds' concentration ranges reported in the latter review paper. Indeed, it has been shown that the M. officinalis EO composition may vary significantly depending on various factors such as origin and ecological conditions, 37 plant nutrient concentrations, 38 and the extraction process. 39 The latter authors identified 22 EO constituents in a study on the effects of plant nutrients on M. officinallis EO, with the major ones being neral (β-citral) (11−31%) and geranial (23−41%), which are similar to the concentrations of neral and geranial in the EO from this study.…”