A Review on Therapeutic Potential of Rosmarinus officinalis L

Review Article

Abstract

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis   L.) is an aromatic evergreen shrub with a long history of culinary and medicinal applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic potential of rosemary and its bioactive constituents. The plant's essential oil and extracts are rich in potent antioxidant compounds, including carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid. These phytochemicals have been extensively investigated for their diverse biological activities. Numerous studies have demonstrated the remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of rosemary extracts, attributable to their ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species and inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, rosemary has shown promising anticancer effects, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of various cancer cell lines, including breast, colon, and leukemia. Emerging evidence also highlights the potential of rosemary in managing metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Its bioactive compounds have been found to modulate glucose and lipid metabolism through the activation of AMPK and PPAR pathways, thus improving glucose homeostasis and lipid profiles. Moreover rosemary has garnered significant interest for its neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Compounds like rosmarinic acid have exhibited cholinergic and neuroprotective effects, inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and mitigating oxidative stress in the brain, thereby potentially benefiting neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This review discusses about the vast therapeutic potential of rosemary and its constituents, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate their mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and potential synergistic effects, paving the way for their future application in modern medicine