STUDY OF ANTI-LIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) AQUEOUS ROOTS AND FLOWER EXTRACTS ON ALBINO MICE

Purpose/Aim: In the present study, we investigate the antilipidemic effect of the aqueous extract Cymbopogon citratus. Background: Lemongrass is an aromatic plant belonging to the Gramineae family. C. citratus has been cultivated over many years for medicinal purposes in different countries throughout the world. Earlier in research, it was reported that the elevated cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered in the animals given the plant extract. This reduction was found to be dose-dependent. We attempt to evaluate the antilipidemic effect of aqueous extract of roots and flower of C. citratus in mice. Methods: Aqueous extract of roots and flower of Cymbopogon citratus evaluated for antilipidemic activity in mice. Blood was collected by intracardiac puncture, under mild ether anesthesia, and the total serum cholesterol, HDL, and LDL of treated mice were examined. Results: we observed that there is a significant decrease in the cholesterol levels in mice administered with root and flower extracts, there was an increase in HDL level and decrease in the LDL level in groups treated with the extracts. Conclusion: In this study, we found that there was a significant decrease in the cholesterol level of C. citratus root and flower extract administered group in comparison to the cholesterol-induced group. A better antihypercholesterol activity was observed with root extract.