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. 2019 Nov 4:6:1289-1294.
doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.11.002. eCollection 2019.

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of skin irritation, acute and sub-acute toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in mice and rabbits

Ermias Lulekal  1 , Solomon Tesfaye  2 , Selam Gebrechristos  3 , Kassahun Dires  3 , Tizazu Zenebe  3 , Nigus Zegeye  3 , Gezu Feleke  4 , Abayneh Kassahun  4 , Yoseph Shiferaw  4 , Awol Mekonnen  3
Affiliations

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of skin irritation, acute and sub-acute toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in mice and rabbits

Ermias Lulekal et al. Toxicol Rep. .

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus has been used by the local people in Ankober district, northern Ethiopia, as traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Its essential oil has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities amongst others. This study was conducted to determine skin irritation, acute and subacute toxicity of C. citratus essential oil in mice and rabbits. The essential oil was analyzed using GC-MS. The essential oil at dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight was administered to mice for 21 consecutive days. The mice mortality, behavioral change, injury and other signs of illness were recorded once daily. Biochemical parameters were evaluated. Liver and kidney were taken after sacrifice for gross findings and histological analyses. 10 % ointment formulation of C. citratus oils was applied on the rabbit skin to determine skin irritation effects. The result revealed, the presence of citral (71.297%), myrcene (19.034%), 4, 5-epoxycarene (2.780%), linalool (1.713%), ((S)-cis-verbenol (1.110 %), linalool (1.713 %), ((S)-cis-verbenol (1.110 %) and undecan-2-one (1.001 %) in the C. citratus essential oil. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the body weights, gross abnormalities of the organs and biochemical parameters compared to the control. No histopathological changes were detected in the organs tested. 10 % ointment formulation of C. citratus oils did not cause skin irritation. Analysis of results leads to the conclusion that Ethiopian C. citratus essential oil may be considered as relatively safe and non-toxic.

Keywords: Acute toxicity; Biochemical analysis; Cymbopogon citratus; Histopathology; Skin irritation; Sub-acute toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Gas Chromatogram of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Photograph of skin of rabbit before (A) and 1 h after removal of test formulation (B).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Histology of liver (H&E, magnification x 4) of control and C. citratus oil treated animals. (A) Section of liver from control animals revealed normal architecture and hepatic cells; (B), liver from C. citratus oil (2000 mg/kg)-treated animals exhibited normal architecture and hepatic cells. CV = Central Vein, PT = Portal Tract, H= Hepatocytes.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Histology of kidney (magnification x 40) of control and C. citratus oil treated animals. (A) Section of kidney from control animal showed normal size of glomeruli with normal tubules; (B), kidney from C. citratus oil (2000 mg/kg) treated animals exhibit normal size of glomeruli with normal tubules. G = Glomerulus, BS = Bowman’s Space, DT = Distal Convoluted Tube.
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