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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS ESSENTIAL OIL AND CITRAL THIOSEMICARBAZONE AGAINST MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

Introduction:Tuberculosis,caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis became more prevalent due to drug resistance.Cymbopogon citratus,a crop from the African flora contains an essential oil rich in carbonyl compounds.Condensation of carbonyl compounds with thiosemicarbazides gave thiosemicarbazones which exhibit rather

Endophytic Colletotrichum from tropical grasses with a new species C. endophytica

t Endophytic fungi are a diverse and important group of microorganisms.We investigated the occurrence of Colletotrichum species as endophytes in two common tropical grass species,Pennisetum purpureum(dwarf napier)and Cymbopogon citratus(lemon grass)in Thailand.Combined phylogenetic analysis of ITS,partial sequences of actin(ACT),calmodulin(CAL)and glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)gene regions and morphology were used to characterize the species.This is the first report of an association as endophytes of Colletotrichum fructicola,C.tropicale and C.siamense with Pennisetum purpureum,and C.fructicola and C.siamense with Cymbopogon citratus.Colletotrichum endophytica sp.nov.associated with Pennisetum purpureum,is introduced based on multi-locus phylogenetic analysis with descriptions and illustrations.The potential hyperdiversity of the endophytic Colletotrichum species associated with tropical grasses is discussed with an emphasis on future research.

Changes in blood pressure indices in normotensive adults after the consumption of lemongrass tea

Objective:To accurately evaluate the effect of lemongrasses tea(LGT)on blood pressure(BP)indices in normal humans.Methods:A total of 105 participants were sub-divided into 3 groups with 35 in each group and they were administered with LGT prepared from 2,4 or 8 g of the lemongrass leaf powder(LP)for 30 days,respectively.They were evaluated for various BP indices and other clinical and biochemical parameters at days 0,10 and 30 after the administration of LGT using standard methods.Results:At day 10,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)were lower than baseline levels.The mean arterial pressure was slightly reduced,while pulse pressure and heart rate(HR)significantly increased in subjects administered with LGT prepared from 4 or 8 g of the LP.At day 30,systolic blood pressure and DBP remained decreased in participants administered with LGT prepared from 4 g of the LP.DBP normalized in participants administered with LGT prepared from 4 g of the LP.The mean arterial pressure and HR decreased further in participants administered with LGT prepared from 8 g of the LP,but HR normalized in subjects treated with LGT prepared from 4 g of the LP.Pulse pressure almost returned to baseline level.Conclusions:Ingestion of LGT may be associated with decreased BP indices in normotensive humans due to its varied bioactive constituents and their activities.