Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Aim: The present study was designed to assess the effect of Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) extract on gasoline vapour (GV)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Methods: The study included 72 female Wistar albino rats weighing 180 – 200 g, which were divided into six groups (n = 12 per group): the control group (G1), GV alone group (G2), GV and C. citratus leaf extract groups (500 mg/kg b.w.p.o., G3; 1000 mg/kg b.w.p.o., G4; and 1500 mg/kg b.w.p.o., G5), and GV plus 200 mg/kg vitamin C group (G6). After 35 days of exposure and treatment, the animals were sacrificed, blood was obtained for biochemical analysis, and liver tissues were removed for histopathological examination.

Results: The results showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in the levels of serum liver enzymes, including aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). There were also significant increases in serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total bilirubin (TBL), and direct bilirubin (DBL).  Serum total protein (TP) and protein sub-fractions (albumin [ALB], and globulin [GL]) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly (p<0.05) decreased. Marked histopathological changes in the liver architecture were also observed in the GV alone group. Supplementation with various concentrations of C. citratus extract and vitamin C caused a reversal in the values of the aforementioned parameters as well as improvement in the histopathological changes in the liver.

Conclusion: These findings suggest an ameliorative effect of C. citratus on GV-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity due to its rich bioactive constituents and their activities.