June 2015 Vol. 3 No. 6

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Original Research Article

The Effects of Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemon grass) on the Blood Sugar Level, Lipid Profiles and Hormonal Profiles of Wistar Albino Rats

Adegbegi J. Ademuyiwa*¹, Ogunyemi Y. Olamide² and Oyebiyi O. Oluwatosin³

^1,2Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
³Department of Chemical Sciences, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: joshuajournals@gmail.com

Accepted May 19, 2015

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of extracts of Cymbopogon citrates on the blood sugar level, lipid profiles and hormonal profiles of normal rats. Oral administration of ethanolic and aqueous extract of C. citrates at a doses of 200 mg/kg body weight, for a period of 30 days, caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels. Effect on hormonal profile (TSH, T3, and T4) was also determined, and was found to be significantly higher in all the administered groups when compared with control. Lipid profiles levels; Total cholesterols, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly (p>0.05) higher for all treated rats as compared against control. Findings in this study showed that this plant has citrates emic properties and did not exert oxidative damage to the heart and the various hormonal profiles as well as its relative safety and possible use for weight gain.

Keywords: Blood glucose, Cymbopogon citrates, Hypoglycaemic, Medicinal plants, Oxidative damage