Phytochemical profiling and anticancer potential of Cymbopogon citratus extract

Objective:To evaluate the anticancer potential of Cymbopogon citratus extract.Methods:GC-MS analysis was used to identify phytocomponents in the methanolic extract of Cymbopogon citratus.A fractionation method was employed to isolate and assess the bioactivity of different fractions and their cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines HCT116,LoVo,Caco-2,and HT-29 were investigated.A dual staining method with acridine orange and ethidium bromide was used to assess the effect of the extract on cell apoptosis.Additionally,the expression levels of Bax and TP53 were quantified using real-time PCR in Caco-2 cells treated with the ethyl acetate fraction of Cymbopogon citratus extract.A protein array was employed to profile key pro-and anti-apoptotic proteins in Caco-2 cells.Moreover,molecular docking studies were conducted to investigate the interactions between key compounds of Cymbopogon citratus extract and specific apoptosis-related protein domains(PDB IDs:7wql and 4bkx).Results:A significant growth inhibition was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract.Among the seven fractions of the plant extract,the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells with an IC50 value of(6.16±0.01)μg/mL.The immunofluorescence assay showed that the ethyl acetate fraction could induce apoptosis of Caco-2 cells.Moreover,the fraction upregulated the gene expressions of Bax and TP53 in a dose-dependent manner.The docking analysis demonstrated the interaction of five compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction with key proteins in Caco-2 cells,indicating their anticancer properties.Conclusions:Cymbopogon citratus extract shows anticancer activity against Caco-2 cells by inducing apoptosis.It may be a promising candidate for the treatment of colon cancer,which needs further investigation.

Cardioprotective Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil against Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy:Possible Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Subunits

Objective:Cymbopogon citratus(DC.)Stapf is a medicinal and edible herb that is widely used for the treatment of gastric,nervous and hypertensive disorders.In this study,we investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil,the main active ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus,on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods:The compositions of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil(CCEO)were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with 16.9µg/L CCEO for 1 h followed by 10µmol/L ISO for 24 h.Cardiac hypertrophy-related indicators and NLRP3 inflammasome expression were evaluated.Subsequently,transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq)and target verification were used to further explore the underlying mechanism.Results:Our results showed that the CCEO mainly included citronellal(45.66%),geraniol(23.32%),and citronellol(10.37%).CCEO inhibited ISO-induced increases in cell surface area and protein content,as well as the upregulation of fetal gene expression.Moreover,CCEO inhibited ISO-induced NLRP3 inflammasome expression,as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase content and downregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3,ASC,CASP1,GSDMD,and IL-1β,as well as reduced protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,pro-caspase-1,caspase-1(p20),GSDMD-FL,GSDMD-N,and pro-IL-1β.The RNA-seq results showed that CCEO inhibited the increase in the mRNA levels of 26 oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes.Our further experiments confirmed that CCEO suppressed ISO-induced upregulation of mt-Nd1,Sdhd,mt-Cytb,Uqcrq,and mt-Atp6 but had no obvious effects on mt-Col expression.Conclusion:CCEO inhibits ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the regulation of several oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.

Acaricidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus and Azadirachta indica against house dust mites

Objective:To examine the acaricidal effects of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratits leaf extract(lemongrass)and ethanolic Azadirachta indica leaf extract(neem)against house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae(D.farinae)and Dermalophagoides pteronyssinus(D.pteronyssinus).Methods:Twenty-five adults mites were placed onto treated filter paper that is soaked with plant extract and been tested at different concentrations(50.00%,25.00%,12.50%,6.25%and 3.13%)and exposure times(24hrs,48hrs,72hrs and 96 hrs).All treatments were replicated 7 times,and the experiment repeated once.The topical and contact activities of the two herbs were investigated.Results:Mortalities from lemongrass extract were higher than neem for both topical and contact activities.At 50%concentration,both 24 hrs topical and contact exposures to lemongrass resulted in more than 91%mortalities for both species of inites.At the same concentration and exposure time,neem resulted in topical mortalities of 40.3%and 15.7%against D.pteronyssinus and D.farinae respectively;contact mortalities were 8.0%and 8.9%against the 2 mites,respectively.There was no difference in topical mortalities of D.pteronyssinus from exposure to concentrations oflemongrass and neem up to 12.50%;lemongrass was more effective than neem at the higher concentrations.Conclusions:Generally,topical mortalities of D.farinae due to lemongrass are higher than that due to neem.Contact mortalities of lemongrass are always higher that neem against both species of mites.

Effect of border planting of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. on the growth and biomass production performance of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor Grass at Wondo Genet,Southern Ethiopia

The use of Eucalyptus trees, in association with other plants, has the potential to reduce the growth of neighbouring plants or grasses by competing for resources or releasing allelochemicals that may cause other plants to grow slowly. Our purpose here is to assess whether border planting of Eucalyptus is harmful to the establishment,growth, and production of Cymbopogon winterianus at various distances from tree lines in the Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in Southern Ethiopia. Several factors were studied: growth performances and yield of aromatic grasses; soil properties, including total nitrogen,organic carbon, and moisture content; and plant leaf nutrient content(NPK) at various distances away from the Eucalyptus citriodora border line were studied. Chemical compositions of hydro-distilled essential oils obtained from selected C. winterianus grasses leaves were analysed by gas chromatography. Plant height, biomass yield, amount of essential oil yield, and essential oil composition all were significantly affected due to Eucalyptus effect in the first10-m distance as compared to beyond 10 m from the tree border line. There were increases in soil total nitrogen,organic carbon, and moisture content with decreasing distances to the Eucalyptus tree border. The result of plant leaf nutrient content(NPK) differed across treatment and distance. The pot experiment(15 cm 9 20 cm), shoot length,and number of leaves of aromatic plants varied in the degree of inhibition based on the concentration of the aqueous extract. Significantly higher inhibitions of the shoot length and number of leaf parameters were observed when using 25% fresh leaf extract compared to other extract levels.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oils of Cymbopogon validus(Stapf) Stapf ex Burtt Davy from Eastern Cape, South Africa

Objective: To evaluate the essential oil composition and the anti-inflammatory activity of Cymbopogon validus(C. validus) leaves and flowers. Methods: A total of 300 g of fresh or dry(leaves and flowers) of C. validus were cut into small pieces and subjected to hydro-distillation method for approximately 5 h using the Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were then used for testing the anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using egg-albumin induced paw edema. Results: The extracted oils had the following yields 2.2% for fresh leaves, 2.0% for dry leaves and 2.4% v/w for dry flowers. GCMS results revealed that the oils contained artemisia ketone(37.5%), linalool(3.2%-29.6%), northujane(4.4%-16.8%), verbenone(13.5%), naphthalene(1.7%-9.6%), δ-cadinene(0.5%-8.1%), hedycaryol(5.4%-7.6%) and α-eudesmol(6.5%-6.7%) as the major constituents. C. validus essential oils showed significant(P<0.05) anti-inflammatory effects from the first 30 min after albumin injection compared to aspirin which had a later onset of effect. Conclusions: The findings of this study show that the essential oil extracted from C. validus fresh or dry leaves and flowers have anti-inflammatory properties; that might be associated with the major components and the minor components found in the essential oils.

Potential antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of essential oil extracted from Cymbopogon citratus on OxLDL and H_(2)O_(2) LDL induced Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells(PBMC)

Cymbopogon citratus(lemon grass)is commonly used in traditional folk medicine.The essential oil extracted from C.citratus has been reported as a potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.This study has been designed to explore the protective effect of C.citratus(lemon grass)against modified LDL(OxLDL and H2O2 LDL)induced cytotoxicity in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells(PBMC).The essential oil extracted from C.citratus(EOC)was subjected to FT-IR spectroscopic analysis for the identification of functional groups.In vitro antioxidant assays were carried out to assess the electron donating capability of EOC as compared with a known standard L-ascorbic acid.The cytoprotective effects of EOC were determined in PBMC induced with modified LDL.Spectra obtained from FT-IR analysis showed the presence of functional groups in EOC such as H-bonded,O-H stretching,N-H stretching,aldehyde-C-H stretching,aldehyde/ketone-C=O stretching,-C=C-stretching,-CH_(3) bending,-C-H in plane bending.EOC has greater antioxidant property when compared with the standard L-ascorbic acid.EOC at all test concentrations demonstrated free radical scavenging activity and cytoprotective effect when challenged against modified LDL in PBMC.The above results show EOC as a promising antioxidant and cytoprotective agent.

Synergistic renoprotective effect of a compiled branched-chain amino acids and Cymbopogon schoenanthus extract against experimentally induced oxido-nitrosative renal insult

Objective: To better investigate the protective role of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)and Cymbopogon schoenanthus(CS) extract against the potassium dichromate(PDC)-induced oxido-nitrosative nephrotoxic insult in the experimental rat model. Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: The 1 st group served as control; the 2^(nd)was injected with a single dose of PDC(15 mg/kg b.w i.p.);the 3^(rd), 4^(th), and 5^(th) groups were respectively treated with BCAAs, CS, and their combination for 15 d prior to induction of renal insult via PDC single dose(15 mg/kg b.w s.c.). The experimental period was terminated in all groups 2 d after induction of renal insult. The harvested kdney samples were divided for biochemical assays and histological examination. Results: The PDC-induced nephrotoxic effect caused a depletion of renal oxidative scavengers glutathione, superoxide dismutase with consequent lipo-oxidative cellular membrane deterioration manifested by a rise in malonaldehyde, oxidized glutathione, myeloperoxidase and the concomitant increase in inflammatory response elements tumor necrosis factor α, nitric oxide, and interleukin 1 β.Moreover, the comet assay and increased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine proved an accelerated apoptotic DNA fragmentation. These local renal changes were met with global altered blood biochemistry. The BCAAs and CS or their compiled administration showed an ameliorative effect against PDC-induced nephrotoxic in a synergistic pattern. Conclusions: Both BCAAs and CS or their combined administration afford potential competitors against renal insult induced by polyvalent anion pollutants in experimentally studied animals model. As a route for novel drug discovery, further investigation should be attempted to optimize their augmenting reno-protecting potential.

Effect of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf extract on lipid profile and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract on lipid profile and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.METHODS Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin(STZ,50mg·kg-1)intraperitoneally.Diabetic rats were divided into 5groups,consisting of 6rats.GroupⅠ,reserved as diabetic control,was administered distilled water and groupⅡ,reserved as positive control,was administered glibenclamide(10mg·kg-1·d-1)throughout the duration of the experiment.Those in groupⅢ,ⅣandⅤ were administered 250,500 and 1000mg·kg-1·d-1 of the extract,respectively for 28 d.RESULTS Treatment with 500 and 1000mg·kg-1·d-1 of the extract resulted in reduction of serum AST,ALT,serum cholesterol,triglycerides and LDL,whereas HDL was found to be increased compared with diabetic control rats(P<0.05).Moreover,increased serum activities of superoxide dismutases and catalase were found in diabetic rats treated with the extract whereas serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was decreased,in comparison with diabetic control rat(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract provides a benefit effect on serum lipid and antioxidant effect in diabetic rats.Thus,the extract may lower cardiovascular disease risk and others complications related to hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Improvement of lipid profile and atherogenic index in rat treated with Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf water extract(CCS)on lipid profile,atherogenic index and antioxidant enzymes in Sprague-Dawley rats.METHODS Rats aged eight weeks(250±20)g were orally administered with CCS at 250 and 500mg·kg-1·d-1 for one month.RESULTS Administration of CCS extract to rats caused significant decrease of serum total cholesterol,triglycerides and LDL levels,whereas,the HDL level was increased compared with untreated rats(P<0.05).Moreover,the CCS extract showed a significant decreased atherogenic index in comparison with untreated rats(P<0.05).Furthermore,serum activities of superoxide dismutases and catalase were also improved in rats treated with CCS.This was consistent with decrease of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance.CONCLUSION The present study provides evidence that CCS water extract provides a benefit effect on serum lipid and atherogenic index and exhibits antioxidant effect in vivo.

Further antiplasmodial effects of the aqueous extract of cymbopogon citratus stapf (lemon grass) against plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice

Lemon grass(Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) is a popular alternative to western medicines for a number of conditions, including fevers,muscle soreness and superficial infections in Nigeria.In addition to its already reported suppressive effects against P.berghei infection,this study sought to determine its repository and blood schizonticidal activities in established P.berghei infection using Swiss albino mice as models.Mice weighing on average, between 15 and 25g were given 103mg/kg,155mg/kg and 310mg/kg/day of the crude aqueous extract of cymbopogon citratus stapf,in the 4-day test,24-hour Rane test and 72-hour Rane test.The effects of these doses of the extract were then compared with chloroquine(5mg/kg/day) and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (3mg/kg/day).We report an average percentage suppressive repository activity of 65.8%for the extract at a dose of 310mg/kg and a blood schizonticidal activity that increased from 68.33%in the 24-hour Rane test to 92%in the 72-hour Rane test for the same dose of extract.The crude aqueous extract of C.citratus stapf thus has significant repository and blood schizonticidal activities against established P.berghei infection in Swiss albino mice compare to that of pyrimethamine and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine respectively.

Post-Infectional Biochemical Changes in <i>Cymbopogon martinii</i>(Roxb.) Wats and <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>(DC) Stapf. Due to Leaf Rust Disease

Post-infectional changes in sugars, ascorbic acid, protein, phenols, chlorophyll and carotene of two Cymbopogons viz., Cymbopogon martinii and Cymbopogon citratus due to leaf rust caused by Puccinia nakanishikii (Diet) were investigated. All the biochemical constituents decreased in plants infected by the fungal pathogen.

Diuretic Effect of <em>Cymbopogon jwarancusa</em>after Single and Multiple Doses in Rats

Diuretics are efficaciously used in management of various clinical emergencies like hypertension, heart failure, cirrhosis, hypercalciuria, hematuria and nephrotic syndrome. Cymbopogon jwarancusa is an aromatic perennial grass used in both traditional and Unani system of medicine to eradicate diseases like colds, seasonal fever, asthma, tuberculosis, rheumatic pain, back pain, toothache and nervous disorders. C. jwarancusa essential oils are used in perfumery, soap, detergents, medicines and pharmaceutical industry. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes constitute the highest composition in essential oil of C. jwarancusa. The present was designed to compare the diuretic activity of C. jwarancusa after single and multi-doses. Furosemide (20 mg/kg) was used as reference drug and 10% DMSO was used as vehicle. Diuretic activity was noticed by measuring urine volume and calculating diuretic and Lipchitz values. Maximum diuretic response was observed at 500 mg/kg of extract after both single and multi-dose administration. On basis of results it may be concluded that C. jwarancusa may be used as diuretic agent.

Evaluation of Control Strategies for Cymbopogon nardus in Grazing Areas of Uganda

Cymbopogon nardus is an invasive grass weed in the grazing lands of Uganda affecting growth of desirable species and impeding movement of livestock. Farmers have for long used manual removal with a hand hoe to control the weed to allow growth of palatable species. In order to reduce on the drudgery associated with the hand hoe, a trial was set up to evaluate removal with a hand hoe, use of fire and spraying the weed with glyphosate herbicide to control Cymbopogon nardus. Eight treatments associated with the different control strategies were replicated on four sites in the land use system. Both manual removal with a hand hoe and spraying with glyphosate herbicide were effective in controlling Cymbopogon nardus with 95% and 92% kill of Cymbopogon tussocks, respectively. The differences between the two control methods were not significant. Plant species biodiversity recovery was faster in the manually controlled plots than in those sprayed with glyphosate, but the number of species was not significantly different. The frequency of occurrence of species was however significantly different with manually controlled plots registering a higher frequency of the species. Fire had no effect as a control strategy, but instead increased the number of tussocks, growth vigour of the re-growth, flowering and hence seed setting. After three seasons, no significant difference was observed in species biodiversity between manual and herbicide control. These results suggest that herbicides could effectively be used to control Cymbopogon nardus to cut on costs and avoid the drudgery normally associated with manual control.

Inventory and Management of Fungi Associated with Banana Plant through the Use of Allium ampeloprasum and Cymbopogon citratus Extracts

Despite the nutritional, economic and medicinal values of banana plant, independent of the region and production system is confronted with some diseases such as the fungi disease. These fungal diseases are responsible for the low yields. The objective of this study was to improve the sanitary state of banana plant. To achieve this objective, fungi associated with banana leaves were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture medium and their identification was done on the basis of morphological and microscopic characteristics using reference documents. Antifungal activity of Allium ampeloprasum and Cymbopogon citratus extracts were evaluated in vitro on agar medium on the development of Pseudocercospora fijiensis, P. musicola and Pestalopsis sp. The results showed that banana plant harbours a diversity of fungal species, the most frequent being P. fijiensis (51.58%), Pestalopsis sp. (15.47%) and P. musicola (12.03%). Aqueous extracts of C. citratus at the concentration of 15 mg/ml, inhibited 100% of the radial growth of P. fijiensis and Pestalopsis sp with a fungitoxic activity. Similarly, ethanolic extract A. ampeloprasum inhibited at 100% the radial growth of Pestalopsis sp. This antifungal activity was fungistatic. These results suggest that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the tested plants could be used as alternatives to chemical products in the fight against banana diseases especially Sigatoka. Hence further studies need to be undertaken to isolate the active compounds from these extracts with fungicidal potential.

Incorporation of Essential Oils from Cymbopogon Citratus and Ceasalpinia Decapitala Leaves, Citrus Lemon and Citrus Sinensis Peels into HPC （HydroxyPropyl Cellulose） Films and Assessment of Their Antibacterial Activity

In this study, essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus and Ceasalpinia decapitala leaves, Citrus lemon and Citrus sinens＆ peels, were extracted, chemically characterized and evaluated on both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus pyogenes. Essential oil of C. citratus was found to be rich in geranial （33.0%） and neral （49.7%）, that from C. decapitala in 13-pinene （8.4%）, ct-pinene （25.5%）, 13-ocymene （31.6%）, 15-phellandrene （8.4%）, caryophyllene （7.5%） and geranial （5.9%）. The essential oil from C. lemon and C. sinensis where mainly composed by limonene with percentages of 77.5% and 83.3% respectively, and 13-phellandrene with percentages of 8.1% and 10.8% for the essential oil of C. lemon and C. sinensis, respectively. The antibacterial activity assessment realized on different microorganisms contaminating food showed that essential oil from C. citratus was shah more effective against all tested bacteria while that from C. sinensis was the less active essential oil. The incorporation of essential oils in HPC （hydroxy-propyl cellulose） films showed that those essential oils, especially essential oils from C. citratus, maintained their antibacterial activities against targeted microorganisms and therefore can be applied in food packing.

Ethnopharmacology,chemical composition and functions of Cymbopogon citratus

Cymbopogon citratus in the gramineous family,also known as lemongrass(LG),is a perennial herb.LG,a drug and food homologous medicine,has a widely recorded medicinal value and food applications.To date,158 LG compounds have been reported,including terpenoids,flavonoids,phenolic acids.Pharmacological and clinical studies have indicated that LG has antibacterial,neuroprotective,hypoglycemic,hypotensive,anti-inflammatory,and anti-tumor effects.This article reviews LG in ethnopharmacology,chemical composition,pharmacology,food,medicine,and daily chemical applications to provide a basis for the subsequent development of food and medicine.

Ethnopharmacology,phytochemistry,and biological activities of Cymbopogon citratus(DC.) Stapf extracts

Cymbopogon citratus is a widely distributed perennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family and has been extensively consumed for its medicinal,cosmetic,and nutritional effects for centuries.A large number of reports have been published describing the pharmacological,biological,and therapeutic actions of this herb.In this review,we summarized the literatures on related studies(up to January,2014) that highlighted the pharmacologic and biological effects of the major phytochemicals isolated from C.citratus extracts and its essential oil.The components of the essential oils found in C.citratus have a similar pharmacokinetic properties,including absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion.They are quickly absorbed following oral,pulmonary,and dermal administration.Based on the published reports,it can also be inferred that,after absorption from the small intestine,some phytochemicals in C.citratus can undergo oxidation,glucuronidation,sulfation,and/or O-methylation.Excretion is through urine,feces and/or expired volatiles.The biotransformation reactions of C.citratus bioactive constituents are essential for its relatively safe consumption and therapeutic applications.The data available so far warrant further studies evaluating C.citratus pharmacokinetics.Reliable pharmacokinetic data in humans would be critical for a better understanding of the the systemic handling of C.citratus.

Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract attenuates neurobehavioral and biochemical changes induced by social defeat stress in mice

Objective:Psychosocial stress has been implicated in the genesis of psychiatric disorders such as memory deficits,depression,anxiety and addiction.Aqueous leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus(CYC)otherwise known as lemongrass tea has antidepressant,anxiolytic and anti-amnesic effects in rodents.This study was designed to evaluate if C citratus could reverse the neurobehavioral and biochemical derangements induced by social defeat stress(SDS)in the resident/intruder paradigm.Methods:Intruder male mice were divided into five groups(n=7):group 1 received saline(10 mL/kg,p.o.;non-stress control),group 2 also received saline(10 mL/kg,p.o.;SDS control)while groups 3-5 had C.citratus(50,100 and 200 mg/kg,p.o.)daily for 14 d.The SDS was carried out 30 min after each treatment from day 7 to day 14 by exposing each intruder mouse in groups 2-5 to a 10 min confrontation in the home cage of an aggressive resident counterpart.The neurobehavioral features(spontaneous motor activity-SMA,anxiety,memory,social avoidance and depression were then evaluated.The concentrations of nitrite,malondialdehyde and glutathione as well as acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain tissues were also determined.Results:C.citratus(50,100 and 200 mg/kg)attenuated hypolocomotion,heightened anxiety,depressive-like symptom,memory deficit and social avoidance induced by SDS.The altered levels of oxidative stress and acetyl-cholinesterase in SDS-mice were positively modulated by C.citratus.Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that C.citratus might mitigate psychosocial stress-induced neurologic diseases in susceptible individuals.

A new strategy:Inhibitory effect and mechanism of Cymbopogon martinii essential oil on Aspergillus flavus

Cymbopogon martinii(C.martini)essential oil can inhibit the growth and toxin synthesis of Aspergillus flavus(A.flavus).In this study,C.martinii essential oil effectively inhibited radial growth,spore production,mycelium formation and aflatoxin B1(AFB1)synthesis of A.flavus.It also significantly changed the morphology and ultrastructure of mycelium.C.martini essential oil significantly changed the activity of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation level in mycelium,and ROS level increased significantly.According to proteomic analysis,1604 membrane proteins of A.flavus have been identified.C.martinii essential oil treatment seriously damaged the integrity of the A.flavus cell membrane,and C.martinii essential oil treatment has destroyed 58 cell membrane proteins and released 157 membrane proteins.This study provided a new explanation for the inhibition mechanism of C.martinii essential oil on A.flavus,and also provided technical support for the application of C.martinii essential oil in mildew prevention.

Phytoconstituents and diuretic activity of Cymbopogon citratus leaf infusions in humans

Objective:To assess the diuretic activity of infusions prepared from Cymbopogon citratus(C.citratus)leaves in healthy volunteers.Methods:One hundred and five subjects(55 men and 50 women)aged 18 to 35 years were randomly assigned to groups set to orally receive infusions prepared from 2,4,or 8 g of C.citratus leaf powder,once daily for 30 d.Urine volume,frequency of urination,urine specific gravity,and plasma and urinary levels of electrolytes were assessed 1 day before(baseline),and at 10 and 30 d after initiation of treatment.Computed diuretic indices were compared between experimental and baseline values.Results:Subjects treated with infusions prepared from C.citratus leaf powder which tested positive for saponins,tannins,flavaniods,phenols,anthraquinones,alkaloids,and deoxy-sugar exhibited a significant increase in indices of diuresis including urine volume,urination frequency,diuretic action,natriuretic and saliuretic indices and renal fractional excretion of electrolytes and metabolic acidosis.A non-significant change in urine specific gravity was observed in all groups.eGFR showed a non-significant increase at Day 10,but decreased significantly(P<0.05)at Day 30.Thiazide and aldosterone secretion indices decreased at Day 10,whereas carbonic anhydrase index increased significantly(P<0.05)at both Days 10 and 30.Conclusions:These results indicate a loop active diuretic action of C.citratus infusion.