of the liver.
Cymbopogon citratus, a plant that is widely cultivated to be eaten either fresh with food or
dried in tea or soft drink has been reported to possess a number of medicinal and aromatic
properties. Airn of the work' This work is aimed to study the protective effect of Cymbopogon
citratus ethanolic leaf extract against hepatic injury and fibrosis induced by repeated
intermittent administration of Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats. Materials and methods:A
total of 30 rats divided into 3 groups were used. Group 1 served as control, Group 2 was
given intraperitoneal injection with DMA at a concentration of 10mg/kg body
weight on three consecutive days of each week over a period of three weeks. Group 3 was
given DMA at a concentration of 10mg/kg body weight on three consecutive days of each
week over a period of three weeks and 100 mg/kg body weight of Cymbopogon citratus
ethanolic aqueous leaf extract 5 hours after administration of DMN. Results: It was found that
DMN produces histopathological changes of the liver; including signs of severe hepatic injury.
The cytoplasm of most hepatocytes appeared vacuolated with pyknotic and karyolytic nuclei,
congested blood vessels and focal necrotic areas with marked
increase of the collagen fibers deposition around the blood vessels. Ultrastructural changes
showed Pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm and reduction or complete loss of cristae in the
mitochondria. These were reversed by simultaneous treatment with
Cymbopogon citratus. In conclusion: The results of this present study indicated that aqueous
leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus has an antihepatotoxic action against DMN induced
hepatic oxidative damage in rats which might be ascribed to its antioxidant and free radical
scavenging property. |
