Mentha arvensis (L.): an Insight on the Pharmacological and Phytochemical Profile

Mentha arvensis Linn. commonly called Podina, is a traditional herb of the family Lamiaceae distributed all over the world. First grown in Europe in ancient times, cultivation spread to Japan in the nineteenth century, then to China and other Asian countries ethnomedical records. Preliminary studies from the animal model have provided valuable scientific evidence for its use and the novel bioactive compounds. The chapter summarizes the selected scientific evidence on the pharmacological properties and phytochemistry of Mentha arvensis (L.) over the past 47 years from 1972 to 2020 available on several Non-English journals and English/Non-English, while identifying potential areas of further development of this herb as an economic adjunct. The evidence suggests that the extracts and compounds from Mentha arvensis (L.) possess antimicrobial action against several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, antioxidant, antifertility, TNF-alpha inhibition, radioprotective, anti-ulcer, neuroleptic, nephroprotective, sedative-hypnotic, anticancer, antiemetic, analgesic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and other cardiovascular protective activities. The various scientific evidence suggests that there is strong pharmacological potential in developing Mentha arvensis (L.) as a drug to be used in the treatment of various disorders from antimicrobial to anticancer therapy.

Keywords: Bioactive compounds, Ethnopharmacology, Mentha Arvensis, Novel Herbal Drugs, Podina, Phytochemistry.