Comparative Assessment of the Effect of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Ethanolic Extract, Aqueous Extract and Essential Oil in High Fat Diet and Fructose Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Background: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is widely used as a folklore medication for treating obesity and diabetes. The present study evaluates the comparative effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract and essential oil of lemongrass on various conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: High fat diet and fructose (20% w/v) were given for 60 days to induce the metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats. Body weight and BMI were assessed weekly and fasting blood sugar was estimated at 15 days interval. Lemongrass ethanolic extract (LGEE) and aqueous extract (LGAE) were prepared and lemongrass oil (LGEO) was extracted. LGEE, LGAE and LGEO were given to the animals for 42 days. Various biochemical, hormonal and tissue parameters were assessed after completion of treatment protocol. Histopathology of pancreas and liver was performed. Results: Phytochemical analysis disseminated that total flavonoid, phenolic and alkaloid content are present in LGEE and LGAE, with maximum level of terpenoids in LGEO. Treatment of HDR with LGEE and LGEO caused significant reduction (p<0.001) while LGAE exhibited moderate reduction (p<0.01) in the body weight, BMI, and fasting blood sugar. LGEE and LGEO treatment also normalized abnormalities in serum insulin, insulin resistance, leptin, lipid profile and CRP level in hyperlipidaemic diabetic rats. A significant (p<0.001) level of reduction in liver enzymes and improvement in oxidative stress parameters was observed after treatment with LGEE and LGEO. Histopathology showed improved histoarchitecture after treatment. Conclusion: Results concluded that administration of LGEE and LGEO exhibited better protection in conditions associated with metabolic syndrome than LGAE. Comparative Assessment of the Effect of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Ethanolic Extract, Aqueous Extract and Essential in High Fat Diet and Fructose Induced ABSTRACT Ms. Swati Dobhal is working as an Assistant Professor in Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand and is having 1 year of teaching experience. She is M.Pharm in pharmacology and has also qualified GPAT in 2018. She has published one research paper and three book chapters. She has attended many Faculty development programs and national and international conferences as well. Dr. Mamta F Singh is working as Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, SBS University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. She is having total teaching experience of 18 years. She has completed her Ph D in 2010. She has guided and presently guiding many students at PhD, M.Pharm as well as B.Pharm Level. She has published many research and review articles in various National and International journal of repute and is recipient of many awards at National level. This study is a comparative assessment of the ameliorative effect of ethanolic (LGEE), aqueous extract (LGAE) and essential oils (LGEO) of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on various parameters of HFD and fructose induced metabolic syndrome in rats. The phytochemical screening of ethanolic, aqueous extract and essential oil revealed that high content of total phenols and flavonoid were present in LGEE and high terpenoid content in LGEO. The administration of HFD and fructose for a period of 60 days significantly increased the fasting blood sugar level, lipid profile and various other biomarkers like insulin,