Effect of Aqueous Extract of Cymbopogon Citratus on Blood Glucose Level, Lipid Profile and Histology of Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes is considered as the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality. This study determined the effect of aqueous extract of Cymbopogon Citratus on blood glucose level, lipid profile and histology of diabetic rats. Methods: One gram of C. citratus dissolved in ۱۰ mL of distilled water was used to prepare ۱۰۰ mgmL-۱ stock of the extract; while intra-gastric tube (attached to a syringe) was utilized to administer the extract for the ۲۱ days treatment. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in rats. Twenty Wistar rats were equally and randomly assigned to three groups. Group ۱ was treated with ۴۰۰ mg/kg of C. citratus extract, group ۲ with ۸۰۰ mg/kg of C. citratus, group ۳ with ۵۰۰ μg/kg of glibenclamide, and control group (negative control) that was left untreated. For all animals, blood glucose level, lipid profile, and histopathology examination were undertaken. Results: Treatment with ۴۰۰ mgkg-۱ of C. citratus extract showed ۵۸.۸۴% decrease in blood glucose level, while the blood glucose level of diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (۵۰۰ μg/kg) decreased to ۶۱.۱۹%. A significant decrease (۸۹.۵%) was observed in low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) level after treatment with ۸۰۰ mgkg-۱ of C. citratus and glibenclamide, while treatment with ۴۰۰mgkg-۱ of C. citratus demonstrated a significant increase (۳۵.۸%) in high density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) level. There was a mild fatty infiltration in glomerulus of rats treated with C. citratus (۴۰۰ mgkg-۱) and glibenclamide (۵۰۰ μg/kg). Conclusion: C. citratus extract illustrated anti-hyperglycemic and antilipidemic potentials in diabetic rats with healing effects in kidney, liver and pancreas.

Keywords:

Cymbopogon citratus , Blood glucose , Lipid profile , Histopathology , Diabetes