Investigation And Comparison Of Anti-Inflammatory Activities Of Different Extracts Of Cymbopogon Citratus Using Various In Vivo Models

Cymbopogon citratus has been commonly used by practitioners of traditional medicine in inflammatory diseases. The investigation and comparative anti-inflammatory activities were performed with different extracts of C. citratus i.e. methanol, chloroform, and n-hexane. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined using carrageenan, serotonin, and histamine. Further In vivo models like, xylene-induced ear edema, dextran-induced paw edema, and castor oil-induced diarrhea were also used for the confirmation of anti-inflammatory potential associated mechanism. Phytochemical constituents were determined through GC-MS analysis. Results showed inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema with all three extracts. Pre-treatment with plant extracts significantly inhibited paw edema induced by histamine and serotonin which further validated the anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, inflammatory edema induced by dextran and xylene were also found attenuated in experimental groups. We also found significant reduction in castor oil-induced diarrhea in extract treated groups indicating towards the possible inhibition of prostaglandins. Inhibition of these experimental models endorsed the suppression of autacoids as one of the mechanisms for the determination of anti-inflammatory effect. Extracts were also investigated for their potential toxicity, and established a safe dose upto 750 mg/kg body weight. Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, caryophyllene, and 1,30-triacontanediol were identified in the highest amount through GC-MS analysis. In conclusion, this study showed that C. citratus possessed marked anti-inflammatory activity which might be ascribed to the suppression of autacoids.