ABSTRACT
Cymbopogon citratus is a widely distributed perennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family and has been extensively consumed for its medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional effects for centuries. A large number of reports have been published describing the pharmacological, biological, and therapeutic actions of this herb. In this review, we summarized the literatures on related studies (up to January, 2014) that highlighted the pharmacologic and biological effects of the major phytochemicals isolated from C. citratus extracts and its essential oil. The components of the essential oils found in C. citratus have a similar pharmacokinetic properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. They are quickly absorbed following oral, pulmonary, and dermal administration. Based on the published reports, it can also be inferred that, after absorption from the small intestine, some phytochemicals in C. citratus can undergo oxidation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and/or O-methylation. Excretion is through urine, feces and/or expired volatiles. The biotransformation reactions of C. citratus bioactive constituents are essential for its relatively safe consumption and therapeutic applications. The data available so far warrant further studies evaluating C. citratus pharmacokinetics. Reliable pharmacokinetic data in humans would be critical for a better understanding of the the systemic handling of C. citratus.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Anti-Infective Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Anti-Obesity Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Antineoplastic Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Antioxidants , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Central Nervous System Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Cymbopogon , Ethnopharmacology , Hematologic Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Hypoglycemic Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Oils, Volatile , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Plant Extracts , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Plant Oils , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Rats, Inbred F344 , Urological Agents , Pharmacokinetics , Pharmacology , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
Aims: Diabetic dyslipidemia is a recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Plant medicinal agents such as Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) have shown potential as alternative therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C. citratus leaf extract on the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in diabetic dyslipidemic rats (n=35). Materials and Methods: A C. citratus extract was prepared by ethanol extraction of leaf material. Rats were divided into seven groups (n=5) as follows: (a) Normal diet control, (b) Hyperlipidemic diet (HLD) control, (c) HLD + 65mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) control (d) HLD + STZ + 250mg/kg C. citratus extract (CCE), (e) HLD + STZ + 500mg/kg CCE, (f) HLD + STZ + 1000mg/kg CCE, and (g) HLD + STZ + 5mg/kg atorvastatin + 600μg/g glibenclamide. Animals were treated with HLD for 14 days and then injected intraperitoneally with 65mg/kg STZ. Confirmed diabetic dyslipidemic animals were treated intragastrically with CCE at doses of 250, 500, and 1000mg/kg, with 5mg/kg atorvastatin, and with 600μg/g glibenclamide for 30 days. Results: The extract, which tested positive for tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. lowered fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and dose- dependently decreased the serum levels of T-chol, LDL, VLDL, and b-HMG-CoA reductase, while simultaneously increasing HDL levels. The AIP was lowered in a dosedependent manner by 33, 43.7, and 52.4% in groups treated with 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of CCE respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the C. citratus extract had an ameliorative effect on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and atherogenic index of plasma.
ABSTRACT
Los ácaros del polvo son fuente importante de alérgenos intradomiciliarios, por lo que su control biológico es una prioridad en la prevención y control de la sensibilización alérgica. El propósito de este trabajo fue obtener el aceite esencial de hojas de Cymbopongon citratus Stapf y evaluar su actividad acaricida sobre Dermatophagoides farinae. El aceite esencial se obtuvo por hidrodestilación y extracción con diclorometano. La composición química relativa del aceite fue determinada por CG-EM. Se realizaron bioensayos de concentración- respuesta en papeles filtros tratados con 5; 0,5; 0,05 y 0,005 µL del aceite esencial/cm² de papel. La ausencia de movimiento del ácaro al contacto con una aguja fina se tomó como indicador de muerte. El rendimiento de extracción del aceite fue 1,22% v/p de hojas frescas. El análisis de CG-EM reveló el citral (41,8% de geranial y 34,9% de neral) como componente mayoritario. El efecto tóxico del aceite esencial del C. citratus Stapf sobre el ácaro D. farinae fue proporcional a la concentración y tiempo de exposición. A una concentración de 0,5 µL/cm² de aceite esencial, el 46,67% de los ácaros murieron después de 60 minutos de exposición. Estos resultados permitieron comprobar una alta actividad tóxica del aceite esencial de C. citratus Stapf sobre el ácaro D. farinae, este efecto puede estar relacionado con la presencia del geranial y neral, monoterpenos análogos a la octopamina, un neurotransmisor periférico de insectos.
Dust mites are an important source of intradomiciliary allergens reason why their the biological control is a priority in the prevention and control of allergic sensitization. The purpose of this work was to obtain the essential oil of leaves of Cymbopongon citratus Stapf and evaluate its acaricidal activity on Dermatophagoides farinae mite. The essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation and extraction with dichloromethane. The relative chemical composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS. Concentration-response bio essays were carried out in filter paper treated with 5, 0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 µL of essential oil/cm². The absence of dust mite movement when they touched with a fine needle was considered as an indicator of death. The oil extraction yield was 1.22 % v/w of fresh leaves. The GC-MS analysis revealed citral (41.8% of geranial over 34.9% of neral) as a major component. The toxic effect of the C. citratus Stapf essential oil on dust mites D. farinae was proportional to concentration and time exposure. Using a 0.5 µL/cm² concentration of essential oil, 46.67% of dust mites died after 60 minutes exposure. These results allowed the verification of a high toxic activity of C. citrates Stapf essential oil on D. farinae mites; this effect may be related to the presence of geranial and neral monoterpenes analogue to octopamine, an peripheral neurotransmitter in insect.