Gastroprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus infusion on acute ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2015-09, Vol.173, p.134-138
• Main Authors: Sagradas, Joana, Costa, Gustavo, Figueirinha, Artur, Castel-Branco, Maria Margarida, Silvério Cabrita, António Manuel, Figueiredo, Isabel Vitória, Batista, Maria Teresa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents - therapeutic use; Cymbopogon; Cymbopogon citratus; Ethanol; Gastric Mucosa - drug effects; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gastric ulcer; Gastroprotective; Infusion; Lemongrass; Male; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Rats, Wistar; Stomach Ulcer - chemically induced; Stomach Ulcer - drug therapy; Stomach Ulcer - pathology
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.07.001

Treatment of gastric ulcers with medicinal plants is quite common in traditional medicine worldwide. Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. leaves infusion has been used in folk medicine of many tropical and subtropical regions to treat gastric disturbances. The aim of this study was to assess the potential gastroprotective activity of an essential oil-free infusion from C. citratus leaves in acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol in rat. The study was performed on adult male Wistar rats (234.0±22.7g) fasted for 24h but with free access to water. The extract was given orally before (prevention) or after (treatment) intragastric administration of absolute ethanol. Effects of dose (28 or 56mg/kg of body weight) and time of contact of the extract with gastric mucosa (1 or 2h) were also assessed. Animals were sacrificed, being the stomachs removed and the lesions were assessed by macroscopic observation and histopathology. C. citratus extract, given orally before or after ethanol, significantly (P