Secondary metabolites of Mentha arvensis and their biological activities

Abstract

Mentha arvensis accumulates a variety of secondary metabolites. Some of the biologically active secondary metabolites are Menthol, Menthone and Menthyl acetate, which are responsible for the antimicrobial agents. Mainly menthol is used in traditional system of medicine like nausea, diarrhea, abdornunal pain, vomiting, cough drops, fever, sunburn, skin irritation, sore throat, headache, skin’s cold receptors, inhalants, lozenges, blood in urine, rapid and shallow breathing, rapid heart beat, convulsions, dizziness and unconscious etc. The present review summarizes the information available on the secondary metabolites isolated from Mentha arvensis. The review deals with various chemical constituents isolated from Mentha arvensis have been described in details. These include monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, sitosterol sucroside, menthofurolactone, glycosides, lipids, toxins, polysaccharide and others. The review also summarizes description of various biological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, antifertility and anti-candida etc. reported in different plant parts, extracts and essential oils from different countries. This review is very useful keeping in view the reported biological activities in volatile oil, which will pave to utilize these as pharmaceutical.