REVIEW ON PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF ROSEMARY LEAVES

Rosmarinus officinalis L., also known as rosemary, is a well-known aromatic perennial plant of the family Lamiaceae. Rosemary has been traditionally valued since ancient times for its culinary and medicinal properties, famously used by the Greeks and Romans to improve memory and treat liver problems. This review aims to examine the botanical distribution of rosemary, highlighting its successful acclimatization in different climatic conditions, especially in India, where the state of Karnataka is a principal production area. Rosemary is botanically distinguished by its evergreen needle-shaped leaves and intricate microscopic structures, such as specialized glandular trichomes, which secrete its characteristic volatile compounds. The phytochemical constitution is remarkably diverse, encompassing key bioactive compounds such as carnosic acid, Rosmarinus acid, carnosol, and essential oil components such as 1,8-cineole and camphor, in addition to essential vitamins and minerals. The use of advanced extraction techniques, from maceration to supercritical fluid and ultrasound-assisted extraction, is also considered an essential process for the isolation of these therapeutic compounds. Rosemary has shown strong pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities. Moreover, its use in the treatment of metabolic disorders due to anti-obesity properties and its neuroprotective action against dementia and depression has emphasized its diverse therapeutic uses. This review emphasizes the importance of rosemary as a natural source of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and food industries.