Phytochemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora essential oils and their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties on Wistar rats

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora are widely used herbs/plants as a source of ethnomedicines in tropical regions of the world. In this work, we studied the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of C. citratus and E. citriodora essential oils on formol-induced edema, and acetic acid induced abdominal cramps in Wistar rats. To fully understand the chemically induced anti-inflammatory properties of these plants, we first analyzed the chemical composition of the essential oils. A total of 16 chemical constituents accounting for 93.69 % of the oil, were identified in C. citratus among which, Geranial (27.04 %), neral (19.93 %) and myrcene (27.04 %) were the major constituents. For E. citriodora, 19 compounds representing 97.2 % of the extracted oil were identified. The dominant compound of E. citriodora essential oil was citronellal (83.50 %). In vivo analysis and histological assay showed that the two essential oils displayed significant dose dependent edema inhibition effect over time. They displayed strong analgesic and antipyretic properties similar to that induced by 50 mg/kg of acetylsalicylate of lysine. However, the E. citriodora essential oil was more effective than that of C. citratus. We identified significant numbers of aldehyde molecules in both essential oils mediating antioxidant activity that may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects observed on the rats. Altogether, this work demonstrates the anti-inflammatory property of C. citratus and E. citriodora suggesting their potential role as adjuvant therapeutic alternatives in dealing with inflammatory-related diseases.

Essential oils as soil biofumigants for the control of the root-knot nematodeMeloidogyne incognitaon tomato

“…In agreement with previous findings (Gbenou et al, 2013), the aliphatic terpene aldehyde citronellal was the major component found in the EO of E. citriodora and accounted for 83.8% of the total. Relatively small amounts of other monoterpenoids such as isopulegol (6.9%), citronellol (5.0%) and citronellyl formate (0.8%) were also detected in this EO.…”

Lemongrass Leaf Extract Attenuates Hydrocarbon-Induced Oxidative Stress and Macrocytic Hypochromic Anaemia in Rats

“…In a related study by Gbenou et al [31], C. citratus EO displayed significant dose dependent edema (formol-induced) inhibition effect over time, and a strong analgesic and antipyretic properties similar to that induced by 50mg/kg of acetyl salicylate, further demonstrating its antiinflammatory effect. The mechanisms underlying the antiinflammatory actions of C. citratus extract is posited to include inhibition of a complex immune-inflammatory mechanism and prostaglandin biosynthesis leading to pyrogens and prostaglandins release respectively [31]. These effects are comparable to the effect of salicylate drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [31,32].…”

ANÁLISE DA COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE CAPIM SANTO (Cymbopogon citratus) OBTIDO ATRAVÉS DE EXTRATOR POR ARRASTE COM VAPOR D´ÁGUA CONSTRUÍDO COM MATERIAS DE FÁCIL AQUISIÇÃO E BAIXO CUSTO

“…Quanto à composição, os dois métodos apresentaram como constituintes majoritários o neral e o geranial, resultados que coincidem com os relatados por Oliveira (2011) que obteve estes dois constituintes totalizando 73,83% da constituição do óleo essencial de Capim santo, usando o método da hidrodestilação. Já a composição apresentada (32,42% de Neral, 44,69% de Geranial e 10,72% de Mirceno, totalizando 87,83% da composição total) pelo método de extração a vapor se assemelha a relatada por Gbenou (2013), que obteve mirceno (27,83%), neral (19,93%) e geranial (27,04%) totalizando 74,80% da constituição do óleo essencial de C. Citratus, utilizando este mesmo método de extração. Wenqiang (2007) realizou a extração de cravo-da-índia (Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb) por hidrodestilação e arraste a vapor.…”