Background: Cymbopogon Citratus
(Poaceae) a tropical perennial herb 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. This study aimed at evaluating the protective
effects of
C. citratus aqueous extract against liver injury induced by hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2), in male rats.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-five rats were randomly divided into five different groups of five animals in each group; (1) Control. (2)
Received H
2O
2 (0.5%) with drinking water. (3), and (4) received H
2O
2 and
C. citratus (100 mg·kg
-1 b wt), vitamin C (250 mg·kg
-1 b wt)
respectively. (5), was given
C. citratus alone. The treatments were administered for 30 days. Blood samples were collected and serum was used
for biochemical assay including liver enzymes activities, total protein, total bilirubin and malonaldehyde, glutathione in serum and liver
homogenates. Liver was excised and routinely processed for histological examinations.
Results: C. citratus attenuated liver damage due to H
2O
2 administration as indicated by the significant reduction (p<0.05), in the elevated levels
of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, TB, and MDA in serum and liver homogenates; increase in TP and GSH levels in serum and liver homogenates; and
improvement of liver histo-pathological changes. These effects of the extract were similar to that of vitamin C which used as antioxidant
reference.
Conclusion: C. citratus could effectively ameliorate H
2O
2-induced oxidative stress and prevent liver injury in male rats.
